Vehicles queue at a fuel station as concerns grow over fuel supply following U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Sri Lanka has increased retail fuel prices by over 8% with effect from Monday midnight (March 10, 2026) in a bid to curb hoarding and panic buying amid rising global crude oil prices, officials said on Tuesday.
The price revision comes as global crude oil prices crossed $100 per barrel for the first time in four years following escalating tensions in West Asia.
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Under the latest revision, the prices of widely used petrol and diesel varieties have been increased by LKR 22 per litre, the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said.
The move is aimed at curbing hoarding and panic buying, it said.
“We have noticed heavy consumption since the news of the Middle East war situation,” a CPC official said.
Long queues have been seen outside fuel stations since February 28 after hostilities intensified following U.S.-Iran strikes against Iran, triggering fears of supply disruptions.
The CPC said Sri Lanka currently has sufficient fuel stocks to last until the end of April.
Published – March 10, 2026 11:23 am IST
