The Parliamentary Business Committee yesterday decided that Parliament would not convene today (Wednesday), in line with the government’s directive declaring Wednesday a holiday for the public service.

According to the parliamentary calendar, sittings had initially been scheduled for today, but the decision was revised following the policy announcement made earlier this week.

The government on Monday declared that all Wednesdays would be observed as a public holiday for the state sector.

Earlier in the day, Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa requested that today (18) be allocated for an adjournment debate on the prevailing global situation.

He also urged the Speaker to reschedule the debate—originally fixed for Thursday (19) and Friday (20)—to Wednesday, pointing out that Friday coincides with the Ramazan festival, which would affect the participation of Muslim MPs.

In response, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said the matter would be taken up at the afternoon meeting of the Business Committee.

Subsequently, the Committee resolved not to hold sittings on Wednesday, aligning with the Government’s decision to treat the day as a public holiday.

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna, yesterday said the licences of filling stations that issued fuel outside the QR system would be suspended.

Rajakaruna said that the law would be strictly enforced in this regard.

The CPC Chairman also urged the general public to inform the police or the CPC of errant filling stations.

He said so on Derana ‘Big Focus’ yesterday (17).

Sri Lanka may face electricity interruptions in the future, despite ongoing efforts to maintain an uninterrupted supply, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday (17).

Responding to a query by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said that thus far, no power cuts had been imposed despite fuel-related challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East. However, he cautioned that such a situation could emerge if prevailing conditions worsen.

“We have maintained a continuous electricity supply. Nevertheless, a time may come when power cuts become unavoidable,” he said.

Delivering a special statement, the Minister also provided an update on the country’s fuel reserves under normal consumption patterns, noting that current stocks, together with confirmed shipments, were expected to sustain supplies in the short term.

Accordingly, diesel stocks are projected to last until April 12, while super diesel reserves are sufficient until May 10. Octane 92 petrol is expected to remain available until April 23, and Octane 95 petrol until May 10.

Minister Jayakody said these estimates included fuel already in storage as well as consignments from three vessels currently in port, adding that steps were being taken to ensure continuity of supply.

The Minister noted that discussions were ongoing with existing suppliers to secure timely deliveries, while efforts are also underway to identify new sources. Proposals submitted by multiple suppliers were under evaluation, he said, as the government was seeking to mitigate risks posed by global uncertainties.

He stressed that authorities were taking all necessary measures to manage the situation under prevailing international conditions and to ensure that essential fuel requirements are met in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa urged the government to remove taxes imposed on fuel, arguing that relief should be passed on to consumers through price reductions rather than increases.

He said it was unjustifiable to raise prices on existing stocks and called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT), the Social Security Contribution Levy, Excise Duty, Customs Import Duty and the Special Commodity Levy on fuel.

Premadasa recalled that the present administration had come to power pledging to supply fuel at prices equivalent to the landing cost at the port, and urged it to honour that commitment.

By Saman Indrajith