KATHMANDU, March 17: Sri Lanka has declared every Wednesday a holiday for public institutions in a bid to conserve fuel, as Asian countries grapple with potential shortages triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, the BBC reported.
According to the BBC, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the measure during an emergency meeting, warning that authorities must “prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.”
The move comes as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route that carries a significant share of the world’s oil shipments—have strained supplies across Asia, the world’s largest oil-importing region. Nearly 90 percent of oil and gas transported through the strait last year was destined for Asian markets.
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The BBC reported that Sri Lanka’s shortened workweek will also apply to schools and universities, although essential services such as healthcare and immigration will remain operational. Authorities opted for Wednesday as the additional holiday to avoid a continuous three-day shutdown of government offices.
Motorists in Sri Lanka are now required to register for a National Fuel Pass, which rations fuel purchases. However, the quotas—15 litres for private cars and five litres for motorcycles—have sparked public dissatisfaction, with many considering them insufficient.
Other Asian countries have also adopted austerity measures to cope with rising energy costs. In Thailand, citizens are being encouraged to wear lighter clothing to reduce air-conditioning use, while Myanmar has implemented alternate-day driving based on licence plate numbers.
Similarly, Bangladesh has adjusted academic schedules and introduced planned power cuts, while the Philippines has mandated remote work for some government employees and restricted non-essential official travel under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In Vietnam, authorities are urging citizens to reduce personal vehicle use and rely more on public transport and bicycles.
The BBC noted that global oil prices have surged to around $100 per barrel following recent military actions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, exacerbating energy insecurity across the region.
Sri Lanka had previously introduced fuel rationing during its 2022 economic crisis, when it ran out of foreign reserves and struggled to import essential commodities, including fuel.
