REGULATORY · MARKET STRUCTURE · SOUTH ASIA
Sri Lanka switches to QR-code fuel rationing
Change
On March 15, 2026, Sri Lanka switched to a digital QR code-based system to ration retail fuel sales.
Why it matters
The measure took effect on March 15, 2026. Consumers must register and download a QR code tied to a specific vehicle for use at fuel stations. Weekly purchase quotas are set for vehicle categories, with 15 litres for cars and 5 litres for motorbikes. Lanka IOC controls about 20% of the retail market while the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation remains the dominant retailer.
Implications
- • Fuel stations must verify vehicle-specific QR codes at point of sale before authorizing transactions.
- • Retail transaction systems must track and enforce per-vehicle weekly allocation limits.
- • Vehicle owners must hold and present registered QR codes to access retail fuel.
Who is affected
- • Car owners
- • Motorbike owners
- • Fuel station operators
- • Retail fuel distributors
What to watch
- • Effective March 15, 2026
Source
Topics
Law & Public Safety Regulatory Actions Business & Markets Supply Chain & Logistics Energy & Power Oil & Gas