Sri Lanka to allow private companies to supply jet fuel

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to allow private companies to supply Jet A-1 aviation fuel to airplanes.

Government Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena on Tuesday said the decision came up as the state-owned petroleum distributor fails to meet the demand.

Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson said Jet A-1 aviation fuel is currently being supplied to aircraft by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

However, in the past year the operations at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, where the country’s Jet A-1 fuel is produced, has been disrupted due to foreign exchange shortages, Gunawardena said.

Importing Jet A-1 fuel is also a challenge for the CPC because of the foreign currency shortage, the official added.

The spokesperson said that in recent months the number of aircraft arriving in Sri Lanka has risen due to increasing tourist arrivals.

Gunawardena said Sri Lanka needs to ensure that there is a continuous supply of Jet A-1 fuel for cargo and passenger airplanes so as to prevent any inconvenience to tourists.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva said earlier that in 2022 Sri Lanka was unable to provide adequate jet fuel for aircraft, which resulted in flight cancellations.