Sri Lanka Declares Weekly Public Holiday to Conserve Fuel Amid Global Energy Uncertainty

Colombo. Sri Lanka has announced a public holiday every Wednesday to save fuel. This decision was made due to increased uncertainty in energy supply caused by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel-US in the Middle East.

‘We must prepare for the worst-case scenario, but hope for the best,’ President Anura Kumar Dissanayake urged the nation to be ready for a potential fuel crisis after a high-level emergency meeting on Monday.

This move by Sri Lanka is part of managing the energy crisis seen across Asia. Specifically, oil supply from the Gulf region to Asia has been affected following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Last year alone, about 90 percent of the oil and gas passing through that route was destined for Asian countries.

As the energy crisis deepens, not only Sri Lanka but various countries in Asia have adopted strict measures to save fuel. In Thailand, the government has urged citizens to wear short-sleeved clothing instead of suits to reduce the use of air conditioning.

 In Myanmar, private vehicles are allowed to operate only on alternate days based on their license plates. Bangladesh has also started planned nationwide load-shedding by advancing the Ramadan holidays for universities.

In the Philippines, some government offices have mandated employees to work from home at least one day a week. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also banned non-essential government travel.

 Furthermore, cash assistance ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 pesos has been announced to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices on tricycle drivers, farmers, and those involved in the fishing industry. Vietnam has encouraged citizens to stay home as much as possible, cycle, carpool, and use public transportation.

According to experts, the energy crisis in Asia is likely to deepen due to the disruption of the oil supply chain caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Asian economies, which are heavily dependent on oil imports, have been directly affected, leading to challenges in inflation, transportation costs, and daily life.