US EditionSri Lanka Declares All Wednesdays Off to Conserve Energy
Sri Lanka mandates a four-day week for public institutions and enforces strict fuel quotas with a National Fuel Pass amid rising oil prices linked to regional conflict.
- On Wednesday, Sri Lanka declared a public holiday to conserve fuel, creating a four-day week for schools and universities while exempting essential state services.
- Following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the US and Israel's war with Iran choked off shipments and prompted belt‑tightening across Asia, which received nearly 90% of last year's flows.
- The government urged the general public and motorists to ride bicycles, carpool, use public transport, and limit unnecessary vehicle use as Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam adopt similar steps.
- The policy triggered unhappiness as motorists must register for a National Fuel Pass rationing 15 litres for private cars and five litres for motorcycles, causing queues at petrol stations.
- Authorities explained they picked Wednesday instead of Friday so government offices would not be closed for three days in a row, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Monday, 'We must prepare for the worst, but hope for the best'.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Sri Lanka declares all Wednesdays OFF in desperate bid to conserve fuel
Sri Lanka has moved to a four-day working week, designating every Wednesday a public holiday beginning tomorrow as the island nation seeks to preserve fuel stocks amid the war in Iran.The measure responds to concerns over potential shortages linked to conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global oil supplies.Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, confirmed the decision on Monday, stating: "It was decided t…
The conflict in the Persian Gulf is forcing Asian countries to save energy. In India, dishes that require a long cooking time have disappeared from menus, in hot Thailand people are told to dress less so as not to need air conditioning. And Sri Lanka even canceled a working day to save fuel.
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