Over 100,000 MT of fuel issued in 10 days amid Middle East conflict

2026-03-16 - 03:37

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) – D. J. Rajakaruna, said that around 57,000 metric tons of diesel were issued from fuel stations across the country in the first 10 days after missile strikes began between the United States and Israel against Iran. He made these remarks during a press conference held yesterday (March 15). Rajakaruna noted that the quantity released was exceptionally high, explaining that the volume was almost equivalent to 02 fuel shipments typically brought into the country. He also revealed that 47,000 metric tons of petrol had been issued during the same 10-day period. According to him, this amount is roughly equivalent to the quantity normally distributed over about one and a half months. He further alleged that the unnecessary fuel queues seen across the country following the Middle East conflict had led many members of the public to stockpile diesel and petrol in excessive quantities.