News
State Minister assures enough petroleum stocks until June next year
State Minister of Power and Energy, D.V. Chanaka, assured the public on Thursday (19) that there is no imminent risk of a fuel shortage in Sri Lanka. He explained that Sri Lanka’s fuel imports remain unaffected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Chanaka emphasized that tenders for fuel imports needed until June 2024 have already been successfully completed, ensuring a continuous supply of fuel during that period. The government’s decision to entrust the supply of fuel to China’s Sinopec is expected to result in substantial foreign exchange savings, estimated to be over 500 million U.S. Dollars.
During a press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) under the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country,’ State Minister D.V. Chanaka highlighted the recent fuel crisis faced by the country, with shortages and long queues at gas stations. However, he mentioned that this situation was resolved swiftly.
He pointed out the fluctuation in crude oil prices in the global market, with prices varying from $50 per barrel in January 2022 to $100 per barrel due to factors such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. While there was a slight decrease in crude oil prices earlier this year, recent events in the Gaza Strip led to a 4% increase in fuel prices worldwide, offsetting the relief from falling crude oil prices. Although Israel and Palestine are not major fuel producers or distributors, the potential involvement of Iran added to the global market’s uncertainty.
Chanaka emphasized that despite these global conflicts, Sri Lanka’s fuel imports have continued without disruption. The government has also allowed three other suppliers, including China’s Sinopec, to provide fuel to the country. Sinopec has already commenced operations in Sri Lanka, resulting in savings of approximately 40 million USD in foreign exchange per season. These measures are expected to contribute to saving more than 500 million USD in foreign exchange annually.
Furthermore, these actions have helped reduce the risk to the dollar reserves held by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and efforts are underway to pass on these benefits to consumers. Chanaka also mentioned the establishment of a reserve of 200 million USD for oil purchases, a noteworthy step in Sri Lanka’s energy security.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
Cabinet nod to obtain diagnostic reports under public-private partnership
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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