22/03/2026
COLOMBO (News 1st); Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman D. A. Rajakaruna has confirmed that Sri Lanka’s fuel supply will remain uninterrupted in the coming months, despite delays in crude oil shipments.
He explained that when the crude oil shipment scheduled for the 24th or 25th does not arrive, refinery operations can continue only until the middle of next month. Once refinery operations stop, the country loses access to both furnace oil and naphtha produced locally, two fuels critical for electricity generation.
To prevent a crisis, CPC moved swiftly to secure furnace oil through an emergency procurement process. A tender was called on the 17th, and a successful bid has already been received. The furnace oil shipment is scheduled to arrive on the 12th or 13th of next month, effectively resolving the immediate risk.
However, naphtha cannot be procured under current conditions. As a result, diesel will be used as a substitute for electricity generation, increasing diesel demand and costs.
Electricity Generation and Public Responsibility:
With diesel replacing naphtha for power generation, electricity will now be generated using diesel, particularly during nighttime hours. This shift has contributed to an increase in diesel prices by Rs. 140 per litre.
Rajakaruna emphasized that this situation requires public understanding and cooperation. He called on citizens to reduce electricity usage wherever possible by switching off unnecessary lights, illuminated signboards, and even street lights where feasible.
He stressed that collective public effort, through energy conservation and responsible consumption,will allow the country to move forward without disruption, even during this challenging period.
Importantly, he assured the public that there will be no power cuts, as the furnace oil shipment arriving on the 12th or 13th will ensure uninterrupted electricity generation.
(For More Info, Visit; https://english.newsfirst.lk/2026/03/22/diesel-powered-nights-but-no-blackouts-fuel-supply-secured)
