New Delhi, Mar 17: Sri Lanka has taken the lead in imposing strict fuel conservation measures, as Asian nations scramble to respond to supply disruptions linked to the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has threatened flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Colombo has announced that every Wednesday will be observed as a public holiday in a bid to cut fuel consumption, in one of the most aggressive steps seen in the region so far. In addition, motorists are now required to register under a National Fuel Pass system that rations the amount of fuel individuals can purchase.
The measures highlight Sri Lanka’s heightened vulnerability to energy shocks, as Asia, already the world’s largest oil-importing region, relies on the Strait of Hormuz for nearly 90% of its oil and gas supplies. Other Asian countries have also begun introducing restrictions, though less sweeping in scope.
In Myanmar, private vehicles are allowed to operate only on alternate days based on licence plate numbers to curb fuel demand. Bangladesh has brought forward Ramadan holidays in universities and introduced planned nationwide power cuts to conserve electricity.
In the Philippines, several government offices have mandated that employees work from home at least once a week to reduce fuel consumption linked to commuting.
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