Private Sector Granted Temporary Fuel Import Licenses for Exporters and Tourism

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government has temporarily allowed private sector participation in fuel imports, particularly targeting exporters and businesses engaged in dollar-based activities such as the tourism industry, as part of efforts to meet the country’s energy requirements.

The President said exporters and tourism-sector operators earn their income in US dollars, and business associations representing these dollar-based sectors requested licenses to import the fuel they require. In response, the government has temporarily granted them the opportunity to do so.

He said that around 30 exporters have already registered under this scheme, and the tourism sector has also been included within the arrangement. Under this system, these entities will import fuel using US dollars and sell fuel in US dollars as well.

According to the President, starting from tomorrow morning, these private companies will be able to supply fuel to the export sector and the tourism industry. He said fuel supplies have already been secured under this arrangement and are currently available in storage facilities.

As a result, from tomorrow morning onwards, private companies will begin supplying fuel to exporters and those engaged in the tourism industry. President Dissanayake said this initiative is part of a broader set of mechanisms through which the government is intervening to meet the country’s overall energy needs.