The ongoing fuel constraints are beginning to impact some of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable communities – those living in elders’ homes and children’s homes – with early signs of the crisis manifesting through rising costs, disrupted routines, and uncertainty about what lies ahead.
For now, most care homes continue to operate as usual, but the fuel restrictions are beginning to bite into operations and routines. While administrators are bracing for a potential deterioration of conditions should shortages persist, it remains too early to tell how the impact will unfold.
‘Preparing meals is a challenge’
At the Aloka Elders’ Home in Panadura, operated by the Aloka Human Resources Development Foundation, its Chairman and Chief Controller Piyal Fernando noted that the situation remained challenging, with the higher costs of fuel straining operations.
“To find gas, we have to stand in line early in the morning or go in search of it elsewhere. Gas is in short supply, and that makes things very difficult. Even preparing meals has become a challenge, since we have to maintain quality. If this continues, we may have to reduce a vegetable curry or limit meat and fish,” he said.
In response, the home has begun shifting towards wood-fired cooking. “A wood-fired stove is currently under construction. The intention is to rely primarily on firewood for cooking,” Fernando noted.
With the QR code-based fuel distribution system, fuel constraints have been eased temporarily. “The allocated amount is sufficient for now. In an emergency, we can hire a vehicle and we also have two three-wheelers.”
Staffing also remains a concern. “While the majority of the staff resides on-site, given the current crisis, we may have to reduce staff eventually,” Fernando said. “Although we can’t predict how things will unfold, we have to start limiting expenses and using things sparingly, given the prevailing dry weather and the problems with fuel supply.”
‘We don’t know who to approach’
In Negombo, Jude Elder Care Home Proprietor Dr. Tilak Silva shared similar concerns, highlighting electricity as the most pressing issue. “Our main concern is electricity because we have some residents who are bedridden. We need electricity for their air mattresses and other equipment. We do have backup generators, but they need fuel. Without a steady supply, we will have problems refuelling and providing electricity.”
The situation also places staff under pressure, since many rely on motorcycles for transport and must spend hours in queues to secure fuel. As such, Dr. Silva believes that targeted Government support, such as a special fuel allowance or permit for care homes, could make a significant difference.
However, engagement with the authorities has been limited. “We don’t know who to approach. During the last crisis, we had discussions, but nothing materialised. We fear that it may be the same this time.”
‘Really straining our budget’
In Kandy, at the Singithi Sevana Children’s Home, the immediate impact appears less severe. President Dr. Anura Danthanarayana noted that daily operations continued largely uninterrupted for now, apart from issues in trying to source fuel for minor maintenance work. He added that donations were still arriving as promised, while the home could manage to sustain itself with its internal resources in the short term.
However, rising school transport costs are a potential challenge. At the Shepherd’s Heart Child Development Centre in Nawala, transport has already become a major obstacle.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, its Director Roshan De Silva pointed out that the fuel price increase was also having a ripple effect on other costs, noting: “We depend on monthly donations. When donors themselves are impacted, they will be unable to contribute or they will think twice before giving.”
Similar to most care homes, transport remains one of the most affected aspects, coming at a higher cost and placing a heavy burden on already tight budgets.
“Children take the bus to school, the cost of which has now increased by 12.9%. We have to take the children to school and classes daily. Some children attend tuition classes in areas like Bambalapitiya and Wellawatta, and they take a three-wheeler due to time constraints, but three-wheeler charges are very high. If a child falls ill, we must use a three-wheeler to take them to a doctor, which incurs massive charges. This is really straining our budget.”
A common complaint across all care homes facing disruptions in public transport remains the complications faced by caregivers, who find it harder to report for duty on time or manage errands efficiently.
Beyond transport, utilities also remain a concern, given difficulties in sourcing fuel for power generators. De Silva warned that any potential power or water cuts would be a major setback that would affect the over 20 children and staff at the home.
Caution amidst uncertainty
At the Vajira Sri Children’s Development Centre in Pitakotte, Project Coordinator Kanthi Perera outlined a similar situation, describing it as a common issue for most children’s homes. “We use gas for cooking, which has become increasingly difficult. There are times when we cannot get gas and have to use firewood instead,” she said.
Donations are also gradually dwindling as people find it harder to give, leading to cancellations and a visible reduction in support. Many administrators emphasised the prevailing uncertainty, with most homes operating in a state of caution. Dr. Danthanarayana, for instance, observed that it remained too early to assess the situation’s trajectory.
Similarly, De Silva, while noting the future remained unclear, said that an escalation of the crisis was inevitable. The growing concern among most administrators is that the rising costs of fuel and transport will erode monthly budgets and place increasing pressure on operational costs.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Wasantha Piyathissa told The Sunday Morning that a decision had been made to provide relief to care homes given the prevailing conditions.
He said: “We have instructed that they should inform the ministry if they face disruptions in carrying out daily activities given the current conditions, after which we will make necessary interventions.”
While noting that no request had been made regarding a fuel allowance thus far, the Deputy Minister said that should such a need arise, the matter would be taken into consideration.