• To be carried out parallel to CPC restructuring
• New fuel suppliers won’t enter market under fuel quotas

The Quick Response (QR)-code system under the National Fuel Pass, which was introduced in the second half of last year (2022) to limit the supply of fuel amidst the country’s fuel shortage crisis, will be suspended in the next 3-4-month period as new fuel suppliers are unwilling to enter the market with fuel quotas in place, The Daily Morning learnt.

When The Daily Morning contacted the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for confirmation yesterday (21), an official who wished to remain anonymous said that discussions are underway for the same. “It is the Ministry of Power and Energy that is involved in such discussions, not the CPC.”

The official further noted that the measure was being discussed to allow other suppliers, apart from the CPC and the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation, into the local market with the restructuring of the CPC.

“With fuel quotas being implemented in the country, other suppliers are not willing to enter the local market, which is why this is being discussed.”

In an interview with a private media channel on Monday (20), Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera stated that the QR-code system for the issuance of fuel will be suspended within the next 3-4 months and that the issuance of a continuous supply of fuel will commence.

“The QR-code system was introduced as a temporary measure,” Wijesekera said.

The National Fuel Pass was launched across the island back in July of last year (2022) with the depletion of foreign reserves in the country and the subsequent challenge in procuring sufficient fuel, which led to queues outside fuel-filling stations in the country. The Fuel Pass was launched with the technical support of the Information and Communication Technology Agency, with the intention of easing fuel queues by rationing the available stocks to make them last longer.

The Government decided to open up the petroleum market to more players as it struggled to source foreign exchange to import fuel at the height of the economic crisis. The Power and Energy Ministry received over 20 proposals from several foreign companies who expressed interest in entering the local market.