Business
PickMe proposes fuel supply for passenger transportation via a digital pool
If we are to prevent the catastrophe of Colombo and other main cities becoming ghost towns, we need to put in place a transparent and accountable fuel distribution system that will use the limited fuel stocks we have efficiently.
Zulfer Jiffry, CEO of PickMe says, the time has come for smart thinking. “The digitalisation of our systems can give us an edge in overcoming the crisis we are all facing today. To have a minimal level of transport, for an emergency, for work, or even to get about our day to day living like shopping for essentials, is an absolute need. But we are coming to the point where the whole system is gradually running dry which may cause the country to come to a complete standstill. It is an urgent necessity to have a sensible form of rationing at least until the next fuel ship comes in and in doing this, also ensure that distribution of fuel does not become part of black market racketeering. While mass transport can act as a base, it is essential to have a second level of public transport, and ride hailing taxis fit the bill perfectly.”
Many reports in social and mainstream media have said that there is an active petrol and diesel blackmarket operating in Sri Lanka and this does not ensure the efficient use of our minimum stocks. To meet urgent needs and prioritise emergencies, PickMe suggests that authorities try out a pilot programme where fuel supply for transport of passengers will be done via a digital pool. When certain quotas of fuel are given to the digitally operated transport system, it won’t be just for the use of private vehicles which cannot be accessed by the public transport system. If a policy is structured by the State where three-wheelers operating in the taxi hailing ecosystem are given a certain quota through their operators, the passenger transport in the city could be rationalised in an equitable manner.
“The digital platforms would monitor the movement of their vehicles under this program to ensure the proper and transparent use of this resource. For example if we take a figure of 10,000 three wheelers with an 80,000 litre quota, they can do approximately 200,000 trips around the city, moving around 400,000 passengers in a day. We can monitor this through our software to ensure accuracy and transparency and can even be subject to an audit. The system we propose will be directly tied to the amount of mileage our tuks do, and if we find the set criteria is not met, then we would immediately take those drivers off the system. It is necessary to look at systems such as this to operate in the 4 main provinces, in order to keep the provincial GDPs on an even keel, which is a dire need right now, and transport is a very important part in achieving this,” Jiffry says.
The GDP of provinces is the index that shows whether the economy is thriving or not, therefore, an order of priority to provide fuel for these provinces is required. A breakdown of economic activities in the provinces need to be looked at, in order to literally fuel the economy with the limited stocks of petrol and diesel available.
The obvious choice to top the charts would be the western province, which has the largest share in the pie (refer Figure 1). According to a Central Bank report in December 2021, the western province contributes 38% of the national GDP and this is over one third of the overall economy of Sri Lanka. Key to the western province’s economic activity are services and industry, both of which involve heavy consumption of fuel. The report says the western province has pioneered industry activities with a contribution of 44.6 percent. In terms of services, the western province recorded the highest contribution of 39.3 percent (refer Table 1) and if the Western province is taken by itself, 61.7% of its economic activities are in the service sector (refer Figure 2).
“Given this, how we need to prioritise fuel distribution is clear. The western province has to come first overall; and if we are prioritising industry, then the central province comes second and the north-western province third. If we are prioritising services, the central and southern provinces will come second and third, respectively,” says Jiffry.
As businesses navigate an increasingly complex operating environment shaped by workforce transformation, evolving stakeholder expectations, technological disruption and shifting market demands, strengthening performance requires more than new strategies. It requires new ways of thinking, leading, and collaborating.
It was against this backdrop that UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka convened CATALYZE 2026: Social, bringing together business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, development partners and industry experts to mobilize collective action and equip businesses with the knowledge, partnerships and practical approaches needed to strengthen performance through responsible business.
More than a forum for dialogue, CATALYZE 2026 was designed to help businesses think differently about performance. It reinforced that long-term success is increasingly shaped by how organizations lead, uphold human rights, foster inclusive workplaces, strengthen ethical governance, and build cultures that enable innovation, resilience and trust. Responsible business is no longer separate from business performance — it is fundamental to it.
Aligned with the UN Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Global Strategy, the Forum reflected its three strategic pillars — Equip, Catalyze and Advance — by strengthening business capability, fostering collaboration and mobilizing leadership to accelerate progress on social sustainability.
UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s approach to social sustainability centres on driving this change — recognizing that meaningful progress comes not only through policies and commitments, but through the everyday decisions, leadership behaviours and organizational cultures that shape how businesses operate. CATALYZE 2026: Social encouraged participants to move beyond intention towards implementation, embedding responsible business practices into strategy, governance and organizational culture.
Opening the CATALYZE 2026: Social, Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, spoke to the role of responsible business leadership in strengthening Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness:
“Sri Lanka has the workforce, resilience, and opportunity to compete not by being the cheapest producer, but by becoming the most trusted. As global expectations evolve, compliance is no longer simply a cost of doing business — it is the foundation of market access, and the decisions we make today will determine how strongly we compete in the markets of the future.”
The Forum featured keynote addresses, leadership dialogues and technical sessions on the issues shaping the future of business, including business integrity and anti-corruption, human rights, neurodiversity and inclusive workplaces, artificial intelligence and the future of jobs, the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), responsible sustainability communications, and workforce resilience. Together, these discussions highlighted how responsible leadership, inclusive practices, and strong governance contribute to organizational resilience, innovation, and long-term performance.
Free British Council online conference brings together leading educators from across South Asia to explore how creativity, inclusion and technology can help prepare learners for a rapidly changing world
The British Council has announced the South Asia TeachingEnglish Online Conference 2026, a free three-day event that will convene educators, researchers and teacher educators from across the region to examine one of the most pressing questions facing education today: how can schools equip learners with the creativity, adaptability and communication skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world?
Taking place from 23–25 July 2026, the online conference comes at a time when education systems across South Asia are grappling with the challenge of balancing curriculum demands, assessment pressures and evolving learner needs. While English remains a critical gateway to academic and professional opportunities, educators are increasingly seeking approaches that move beyond language acquisition alone to foster critical thinking, collaboration, learner agency and participation.
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The Ceylon Chamber convenes dialogue on energy security and standards for Sri Lanka’s energy transition
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a discussion titled “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets”, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, industry experts, academics, and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with Sri Lanka’s evolving energy landscape.
Held at a time when countries around the world are accelerating their transition towards cleaner, more resilient, and technology-driven energy systems, the event provided a timely platform to examine renewable energy not only as an environmental priority but as a strategic pillar of national energy security, with implications for economic growth and long-term competitiveness. The discussion also considered the increasing importance of reliable energy infrastructure in meeting the growing demands of digital transformation, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and data centres.
The programme covered a wide range of topics relevant to Sri Lanka’s energy future, including renewable energy development, energy security, regulatory and policy frameworks, electricity sector reforms, energy storage systems, grid modernization, investment and financing considerations, and international experiences in energy transition. Particular attention was given to the need for creating an enabling environment that supports innovation, attracts investment, including the technical and safety standards required to protect consumers and businesses as storage and solar adoption scales nationally.
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