FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Sri Lanka’s state-owned fuel retailer has raised fuel prices by 24% to 30%, approaching the levels seen during the 2022 economic crisis. This adjustment will take effect from midnight on March 21, following an increase in the fuel quota for motorists amid rising global oil prices and supply constraints.
Prior to the price hike, the government had eased the weekly fuel quota for all vehicles, effective from midnight on March 21.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has increased the price of widely used white diesel by 26.1% to Rs. 382, Super Diesel by 25.5% to Rs. 443, Kerosene by 20.8% to Rs. 255, Octane 95 by 24.7% to Rs. 455, and the heavily consumed Octane 92 by 25.6% to Rs. 398.
These prices are comparable to those in 2022 when Sri Lanka experienced an economic crisis that resulted in a sovereign default and a shortage of dollars, leading to fuel shortages across the island nation.
(Colombo/March 21/2026)
