• Portal crashes as sectors call for higher quotas
• Transport, agriculture and small industries warn of disruptions
• Govt says registration issues have now been resolved
• Quota for buses can be revised based on distance travelled: CPC 

The Government’s sudden decision to reintroduce the economic crisis-era QR-based fuel rationing system plunged the country into confusion yesterday (15), as the public scrambled to register for the new quotas while long queues began forming once again at filling stations.

Thousands rushed to access the online portal to register or update their fuel quota details, but the system soon buckled under the heavy traffic, with the website crashing shortly after the announcement. The malfunction compounded the situation on the ground, where queues continued to grow and early ripple effects began to emerge across several sectors, particularly transportation.

Accordingly, weekly fuel quotas have been set at 60 litres for buses, 5 litres for motorcycles, 15 litres for motor cars, 40 litres for vans, 200 litres for motor lorries, 25 litres for land vehicles, 15 litres for three-wheelers and 40 litres for special purpose vehicles.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne said there would be no major issues if the earlier QR ration cards were simply updated and the same quota previously allocated could be obtained again. “So far we have not faced a shortage. But within a few days we might face difficulties if the quota given is insufficient,” he said.

Meanwhile, the All Ceylon School Children’s Transport Association raised concerns about the adequacy of the fuel allocations.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, association's President Lalith Chandrasiri said the quota allocated for school transport services is not sufficient. Schools are continuing operations as usual for now, he said, adding the available fuel quota would not be enough to transport students. He also noted that communication with authorities had become difficult. “In previous Governments we could reach ministers during such situations. Now they don’t even answer the phones,” he said. Chandrasiri recalled that before the QR system was first introduced during the previous crisis, authorities had consulted transport providers about their actual fuel usage before deciding quotas. “Now a strict quota is issued and we do not even have enough fuel for one day."

The three-wheeler sector has also expressed dissatisfaction.

President of the All Ceylon Three-Wheeler Drivers' Association Lalith Dharmasekara said the system does not take into account three-wheelers operating as hire vehicles. “Three-wheeler drivers are given a quota of 15 litres per week. A taxi three-wheeler travels more than 100 kilometres a day and needs at least five litres of fuel daily,” he said. He added the Government has not distinguished between private-use three-wheelers and those used for commercial hire.

Secretary of the National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers and Industrial Workers Association Rohana Perera meanwhile requested the Government to increase the quota for three-wheelers to 30 litres per week.

A PickMe driver who spoke on condition of anonymity said the quota allocated would be sufficient for personal use but inadequate for ride-hailing services.

The ride-hailing company PickMe has also issued a statement requesting that vehicles operating within the app-based transport economy receive higher fuel allocations during the rationing period.

The agricultural sector has raised similar concerns.

President of the National Agrarian Authority Anuradha Thennakoon warned that the weekly allocation of 25 litres for land vehicles would be insufficient for agricultural operations, especially during the ongoing Maha season harvesting period in the Anuradhapura District. “To harvest a hectare, a harvester requires at least 25 litres of fuel, and a machine harvests about four to five hectares per day. In this situation, a harvester can harvest only one hectare and then has to wait until the next week for the next quota.”

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association also raised concerns about the system.

Association's Coordinating Secretary Anil Hettiarachchi said the quota system does not recognise the specific fuel requirements of the bakery industry. “We have not been issued quotas on the basis that we are an industry. So what we are doing is using lorries to purchase fuel and transport it. It is difficult to operate in this manner,” he said.

The Government reintroduced the QR-based fuel rationing system yesterday morning to manage fuel consumption amid ongoing economic pressures.

Under the system, vehicle owners must register online and obtain a QR code linked to their weekly fuel quota.

Current allocations include 60 litres for buses, five litres for motorcycles, 40 litres for vans, 15 litres for cars and 15 litres for three-wheelers.

The system was first introduced during the economic crisis in 2022 before being gradually phased out.

The Department of Government Information announced that individuals who previously obtained QR codes can update them easily if they continue to use the same vehicle and telephone number.

Amid complaints regarding registration difficulties, the Government later announced yesterday evening that the technical issues affecting the QR registration process were resolved.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation D.J.A.S. De S. Rajakaruna said steps would be taken to revise the fuel quota for buses based on the distance travelled.

Until the new mechanism is introduced, buses will receive fuel through depots operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board.