The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval on Monday (27 February) to allow foreign suppliers to supply Jet A-One fuel required for cargo and passenger flights arriving in Sri Lanka, as the supply of Jet A-One aviation fuel by the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has been disrupted as a result of the foreign exchange crisis.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday (28 February), Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Bandula Gunawardana stated that although foreign suppliers will be allowed to enter the fuel market, the jet fuel supplied by the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will be given priority over the rest.

“The number of flights arriving in the country has increased recently. This is a step forward for the tourism industry and therefore, under such circumstances, the fuel required for the aircraft should be supplied without any disruptions. Over the recent past, we have seen that this is not a task that can be undertaken by the CPC alone.”

A press release issued by the Government further noted that the foreign suppliers will be given maximum supply limits so as to not hinder the supply of fuel produced at the Sapugaskanda Refinery.

Due to the challenge of securing sufficient stocks of jet fuel, the country urged airlines to arrive in the country with a full tank of fuel or to fly elsewhere for refuelling last year (2022), while the aviation industry held discussions with the Central Bank and the CPC on reserving foreign exchange in order to ensure that the country has sufficient aviation fuel in stock.