Panic buying triggers long fuel queues

Mizaru Sunday, 01 March 2026 01:05 PM

Luckily the cost of storage batteries are high. If not the uninformed and uneducated would have started to save electricity in storage batteries and the Sri Lanka electricity grid would have tripped.

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David Ostwald Sunday, 01 March 2026 04:05 PM

This happens when the People do not trust the word of the government ... and the government should take note of it. Nobody is believing that there isn't a fuel crises (still recovering from the LPG crisis). and this creates a surge in demand, which may actually result in a shortage .... heh

Reply 7       21

Nihal Perera Sunday, 01 March 2026 06:42 PM

Keep on importing more vehicles and the fuel queues grow longer.

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Sambo Sunday, 01 March 2026 07:05 PM

Typical Sri Lanka style. Do not issue fuel to those who bring cans as happened during the corona virus period.

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Disgusted to say the least Monday, 02 March 2026 12:13 AM

Blame the previous govt/s who ruled for the have's and left out the majority who have had no proper education in the poorer areas of the country for decades, meaning no where near the education opportunities afforded to the rich and so called middle class who are just able to lift their heads. Free education is of no use if all citizens are not on the same playing field. The Govt must put out training centers where skills such as brick laying, carpentry, plumbing are offered.

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slwedda Monday, 02 March 2026 06:33 AM

Gov could introduce a system to fluctuate the price of gas in line with demand, with prices often adjusting in real-time or daily to reflect local/global oil market conditions. I have seen it in some countries. If people suddenly choose to fill more, let local prices go up. This is more fair system. Then, automatically, people will buy fuel at lower prices when the demand goes down, like on Sundays and holidays. And the government can reduce the price, such as by subsidizing fuel in the capital, where holders can still buy cheap fuel and distribute it, but they won't make any profit.

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