In a critical response to Sri Lanka’s escalating fuel shortages driven by Middle East tensions and QR rationing, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairperson Mangala Wijesinghe has highlighted a priority programme to ensure exporters receive their essential fuel stocks without delay. 

Treating the export sector as the nation’s top priority, this Government-backed initiative aims to shield over 4,500 exporters, spread across apparel, tea, spices, and other key industries.

Wijesinghe emphasised that the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship is actively collecting the necessary data from exporters right now. “If you haven’t submitted your information yet, do so immediately,” he urged during a media briefing, highlighting the EDB’s role in mediating swift allocations. This move comes at a pivotal time, as global conflicts push fuel prices higher.

With exporters forming the backbone of the economy, the programme positions fuel delivery as a frontline national task, promising seamless operations and sustained competitiveness on the world stage. “We expect to provide all required facilities so exports can continue without any barriers,” Wijesinghe affirmed.