Fuel QR system to be strictly enforced to curb forex outflow: Minister

Colombo, June 01 (Daily Mirror) - Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy, Anura Karunatilake said today that the government intends to strictly enforce the existing fuel QR code system moving forward. 

Speaking at a press conference, the Minister said that the primary objective during this crisis period is to limit fuel consumption to mitigate its adverse effects on the national economy.

Minister Karunatilake said that despite a noticeable reduction in fuel usage following the introduction of the QR and quota systems, consumption levels have still not decreased to the country's target requirements. 

"With the sharp rise in global fuel prices, a massive amount of foreign exchange is flowing out of the country," the Minister explained. Providing a comparative breakdown of foreign exchange expenditure on fuel, he said that the country spent $186 million in January, $97 million in February, and a staggering $524 million by May.

"This situation is no longer sustainable," the Minister warned, adding that if immediate action is not taken to reduce fuel consumption and curb the dollar outflow, it will not only trigger further domestic fuel price hikes but also severely impact the entire economy. 

Consequently, the Ministry of Energy, alongside the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ministry of Digital Infrastructure, plans to take necessary measures to implement the QR system far more stringently. 

The government expects these tightened measures to help stabilize the economy by managing fuel demand during this critical period.