ISTANBUL

Sri Lanka has declared Wednesdays a public holiday to manage fuel shortages as global energy supplies are disrupted by the Middle East conflict, the Public Administration Ministry said.

The measure affects schools, public transport and parliamentary sessions, according to the ministry.

School activities will be limited to essential instruction, with students barred from participating in additional programs or events.

Authorities also urged private sector institutions to adopt work-from-home arrangements where possible to reduce commuting and fuel consumption.

“As a result, public transport services will be limited, and the public should use them only for essential travel,” Essential Services Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakeerthi told Daily Mirror, stressing priority for critical needs such as hospital visits.

The move follows Sri Lanka’s introduction of weekly fuel rations under a QR code system, including 15 liters for cars and 5 liters for motorcycles, aimed at preventing hoarding and ensuring fair distribution.

The crisis is linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which erupted after US and Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly 20% of the global liquefied natural gas trade.

The disruption has created uncertainty in global fuel supplies, prompting countries like Sri Lanka, which rely heavily on imported energy, to introduce emergency measures to ration fuel and reduce demand.