Govt. discontinues QR code system

• Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says not to misuse unlimited access to fuel supply
• Explain reasons to hike prices

After over a year, the Government has decided to discontinue the National Fuel Pass (QR System), effective yesterday. 

Speaking at a press briefing Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the decision was arrived at after carefully considering all factors related to fuel use such as demand, supply, ordering capacity and the availability of foreign reserves.

“The move will come into effect immediately among all three fuel distributing companies,” he added. 

The National Fuel Pass system was introduced in August 2022, in response to a severe fuel shortage crisis brought on by the economic challenges facing Sri Lanka. This QR-based system was put in place to regulate and manage fuel distribution amidst the economic crisis, ensuring that the limited resources were efficiently distributed to essential services and individuals. 

Minister Wijesekera also issued a call for responsible fuel usage, urging the public not to misuse the unrestricted access to fuel by collecting and storing it in barrels.

This plea comes as the Government seeks to strike a balance between easing restrictions and preventing any potential hoarding or misuse of this vital resource. 

Earlier yesterday, Minister explained fuel prices were hiked due to the significant increase in the Platts prices over the last three months.

Taking to ‘X’, he said that the Power and Energy Ministry set the maximum retail price (MRP) for fuel for the month of September as of midnight yesterday. 

“There have been significant increases in the Platts prices over the last three months. Platts prices have increased from $ 80-85 per barrel average in May and June to $ 85 per barrel average in July and to $ 100-110 per barrel average in August,” he said.

However, he said Super Diesel prices are not significantly affected due to the last cargo purchased by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in July this year.

Wijesekera also added that the Government has strictly followed the fuel pricing formula adopted and will continue to do so in future price adjustments.