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Sri Lanka announced a four-day workweek with Wednesdays as public holidays starting March 18 due to potential fuel shortages from the West Asia war.
Members of the Iranian Red Crescent and Iranian firefighters searching the rubble of a collapsed building following a reported military strike in an undisclosed location. (Image: AFP)
Sri Lanka on Monday announced a four-day working with every Wednesday a public holiday as a contingency measure for possible fuel shortages in the wake of the war in West Asia.
“It was decided to declare every Wednesday a public holiday with effect from March 18,” PTI quoted Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi saying.
The new rule will be applicable to government employees, all government schools, Universities and Courts. The government stated that state events/government events will be suspended until further notice.
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“The private sector has also been requested to declare Wednesdays a holiday until further notice,” Chandrakeerthi said. However, the essential services, such as health sector, ports, water supply and customs will not be having Wednesday as holiday.
“The Commissioner General of Essential Services further stated that heads of Government institutions are empowered to call in employees for work on the other four working days of the week, depending on the necessity of their duties,” he said.
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The Sri Lankan government on Sunday said the QR-based fuel distribution system has been reintroduced as a precautionary measure to manage domestic fuel reserves in the wake of the escalating tensions in West Asia.
Under the system, fuel will only be issued to vehicles with a valid QR code. In addition, weekly fuel quotas have been established according to vehicle categories, Daily Mirror reports.
Motorcycles will be provided 5 litres per week, while motor cars and three-wheelers are allowed 15 litres. Vans will be provided 40 litres, buses 60 litres, and motor lorries up to 200 litres, the report added.
The fuel crisis stems from the ongoing tensions in West Asia, following the February 28 coordinated US-Israeli strikes against Iran and the subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran across the Gulf nations.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial maritime chokepoint — resulted into a global oil and gas crisis. Addressing the concern, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the strait remains operational for international shipping.
However, he added that vessels linked to the United States and Israel are not allowed to pass through the waterway.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
March 16, 2026, 20:57 IST
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