The Ministry of Power and Energy conveyed its appreciation to the country’s technology entities Dialog Axiata PLC, MillenniumIT ESP (MIT ESP), and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) as the facilitators of the National Fuel Pass system. At an event recently, the Ministry recognised the three entities for their invaluable and gratuitous contribution and expertise extended towards the development of the platform and the successful implementation of the allocation-based fuel distribution system. Since implementation, the National Fuel Pass platform has been successfully adopted by 93% or 1,332 of fuel stations across the country, with over 11 million transactions to date. The National Fuel Pass, which was introduced to provide the public with a convenient and easily accessible solution to obtain fuel and facilitate an allocation-based fuel distribution method, has also surpassed six million vehicle registrations to date. Dialog and MillenniumIT will continue to support the National Fuel Pass platform free of charge over the next three years and will work closely with the Ministry of Power and Energy and ICTA to introduce additional functionality to meet the requirements of special segments. In addition to providing a sustainable allocation-based fuel distribution method to Sri Lankans, the successful implementation of the National Fuel Pass platform contributed to significant national savings, where the monthly expenditure on fuel imports has been reduced from $ 500 million to $ 230 million. Speaking to the gathering, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera claimed: “On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to ICTA, MillenniumIT ESP, and Dialog Axiata PLC for synergising with the Ministry of Power and Energy to ease the burden of the fuel crisis on the public with the National Fuel Pass initiative. The journey to the National Fuel Pass system was riddled with trial and learning, and I am grateful to all stakeholders for remaining positive and proactive with an unwavering commitment to finding an immediate solution to a national crisis. “This effort would not have materialised into the fully-fledged system it is today without the support of Lanka IOC and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the voluntary efforts of the individuals from the National Youth Corp and National Youth Council. Our aim was to give each individual a guaranteed fuel quota to manage their day-to-day activities, and, with this system, we have made it a reality today.” Speaking about the initiative, ICTA Chairman Jayantha De Silva said: “We are extremely proud to have been a part of this national initiative and to have provided technical advice for the development of the National Fuel Pass. The impact of the National Fuel Pass is tremendously visible from an economic perspective as well as from a social perspective. “I firmly believe technology can play a major role in solving some of the problems faced by our nation. As the apex body for implementing all ICT projects of the Government, we are committed to working with the required stakeholders to drive effective digital solutions that transform the lives of Sri Lankans.” Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said: “We are thankful to the Ministry of Power and Energy for inviting us to be a part of this national initiative. When the entire country came to a standstill, we at Dialog felt that it was our responsibility to help the nation overcome this challenge through the power of technology. With the help of MilleniumIT and ICTA, the Dialog team once again came together during our country’s greatest hour of need and volunteered to provide a solution within a short span of three weeks and expedited the operationalisation of the solution to help the nation progress with a sustainable fuel management system.”   MillenniumIT ESP CEO Shevan Goonetilleke said: “Eliminating fuel queues, saving millions of dollars, and ensuring a fair distribution of fuel to the nation was an outcome of the successful implementation of the National Fuel App. Launching the application on a national scale is undoubtedly challenging; however, along with the guidance of the Minister and the excellent collaboration among the Ministry, MillenniumIT ESP, Dialog, and ICTA contributed to achieving the ultimate goal. “The National Fuel App indeed demonstrated how technology can be used to mitigate a national crisis through solutions that can be developed and deployed in a short time. Congratulations to the Minister and all teams involved on the successful completion of this project!”