Sri Lanka Cuts Work Week to Conserve Fuel Amid Middle East War Fears

Sri Lanka has announced a shortened work week in a bold move to conserve dwindling fuel reserves, as the island nation braces for the potential economic fallout of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, officials confirmed Monday. The decision reflects growing anxiety among government leaders about the country's vulnerability to global energy supply disruptions.

The measure, which reduces the number of working days for public sector employees, is aimed at cutting fuel consumption across transportation and energy sectors. Officials have not yet specified the exact duration of the reduced schedule, but emphasized that the policy would remain in place as long as the regional crisis continues to threaten supply chains.

Sri Lanka has been particularly sensitive to fuel shortages ever since its catastrophic economic collapse in 2022, which saw the country run critically low on petrol, diesel, and cooking gas. Long queues at fuel stations and widespread power cuts paralyzed the nation, leaving citizens struggling with soaring prices and daily hardships that triggered mass protests and a change of government.

The latest precautionary measure signals that Colombo is taking no chances as tensions in the Middle East escalate. A significant portion of Sri Lanka's fuel imports pass through or originate from the region, making the country acutely exposed to any disruptions in oil production or shipping routes.

Government officials urged citizens and businesses to cooperate with the new schedule and adopt energy-saving practices to help cushion the potential blow. Authorities have also indicated that they are actively exploring alternative fuel suppliers and emergency stockpiling options to safeguard the nation's energy security in the weeks ahead.

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