FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Sri Lanka has allowed the private sector to import and sell fuel for the export and tourism sectors in U.S. dollars to ease the fuel shortage, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Trading in a foreign currency is generally illegal in Sri Lanka. The permission was given at the request of business associations related to exports and tourism, the president said in a live telecast.

“Those business associations requested us to permit them to import the fuel they require. We have given that opportunity temporarily,” he said while elaborating on the measures Sri Lanka has taken to ease the fuel shortage.

The fuel supply disruption from the Middle East conflict has delayed some fuel shipments, the President said. He said already around 30 private sector businesses have registered to import fuel using their own dollars and sell it in the same currency.

“They import fuel using their own dollars and sell fuel in dollars. Starting tomorrow morning, the export sector can begin supplying its own fuel,” he said.

“That fuel is already in their storages. So, starting tomorrow morning, those private sector businesses can supply fuel for exporters and tourism businesses.”

(Colombo/March 17/2026)