JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s state-run petroleum corporation said it had distributed 370,000 liters of petrol across the Jaffna Peninsula over the past two days, responding to what officials described as a surge in purchasing driven by public anxiety over escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The distribution covered 43 fuel stations across the peninsula, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
Under normal circumstances, Jaffna District consumes approximately 100,000 liters of petrol and 90,000 liters of diesel per day. But officials say the recent spike reflects precautionary buying rather than a sharp rise in actual usage.
“This is not necessarily an increase in consumption,” the corporation said in a statement. “Rather, it is increased purchasing, likely for storage purposes.”
On Sunday alone, 175,000 liters of petrol were supplied to the peninsula. An additional 195,000 liters were distributed on Monday.
Authorities said fuel stocks are being replenished at the Kankesanthurai storage facility, and distribution is continuing without disruption.
The surge comes amid growing regional concern that instability in the Middle East — a key source of global energy supplies — could disrupt international oil markets, prompting motorists in several parts of Sri Lanka to rush to filling stations in recent days.
Officials have sought to reassure the public that supplies remain stable and that there is no immediate shortage.
