The prevailing fuel shortage is one of the main factors that is exacerbating the unavailability and high prices of goods and services, and addressing it can help alleviate the burden of the economic crisis significantly. Even though the Government has come up with various strategies to achieve that, the issue has not been resolved yet, and the fuel crisis remains a pressing issue.
To address this, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara announced the launch of a website – fuelpass.gov.lk – for fuel-seekers to register in order to be eligible to get a weekly, guaranteed quota of fuel. This system, according to him, is intended to curtail fuel markets, ensure an equitable amount of fuel for all fuel-seekers, and to distribute the available stocks of fuel more methodically.
The website was launched on Saturday (16), and on the very first day, it did not give a good impression to those who tried to register. Scores of people who tried to register on the website had complained about a number of technical issues, some of which are caused by a large number of people trying to access it at once. Even though the Minister acknowledged this issue, stating it would be resolved soon and asking people not to rush, there are several practical difficulties even the proper functioning of this website cannot resolve.
The first and perhaps the biggest concern over this system is the number of people who possess the facilities required to register for such a fuel pass, or at least have access to someone else who can provide them such facilities. A considerable segment of vehicle owners do not have smartphones or computers, and not everyone has the technical knowledge to undergo registration on the website.
At the same time, according to the Minister, this system will be the main method through which fuel will be supplied once Sri Lanka receives new fuel stocks, which are scheduled to arrive during the coming few days. In that context, it is necessary to ensure that all vehicle owners register on the said website by the time the authorities start distributing new fuel stocks, and thus the authorities must prioritise ensuring that all aforementioned technical issues are resolved before then. Otherwise, only a small group of vehicle owners – i.e. those who successfully registered – will be able to obtain fuel, while a large number of vehicle owners will not receive the same opportunity.
In fact, a group of vehicle owners are already concerned about the possibility of such a situation arising. They are those who have been waiting in queues for days, mainly at Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), since before the said system was introduced. They question whether they will be rejected fuel once the new system is implemented if they have not registered, or be given fuel through another system that is fair to themselves as well as those who have obtained the said registration. It should be noted that this situation cannot be ignored simply because the Minister has asked them to not wait in queues, because there are tens of thousands of such people.
Even if all activities related to registration, rationing, and prioritisation are implemented in line with the authorities’ plans, the equitable supply of fuel ultimately depends on its adequate and systematic provision. To achieve that, ensuring people work in line with the new system alone is insufficient. Timely and adequate distribution of fuel to fulfill the daily fuel requirement of those eligible to obtain fuel on each day is a matter the authorities should pay attention to. Failure to do so will result in people waiting more than one day to obtain their fuel quota, which will inevitably create fuel queues again, despite having a system to reduce that. Therefore, fuel distribution plans being in line with the receipt of fuel stocks is crucial too.
In fact, it is the adequate supply of fuel in accordance with daily fuel requirements that can help the authorities achieve one of its main objectives – ending the fuel black market. In addition, relying solely on this system to address the fuel black market would be unwise, as fuel station owners/workers, fuel distributors or bowser owners/operators, and essential service workers, will still have free access to fuel, and black market dealers functioning with their support will still be a major issue. Therefore, efforts aimed at curbing the illegal supply or sale of fuel must continue. At the end of the day, these parties have more access to fuel than vehicle owners who sell the fuel they obtain after reaching the end of the queue at the nearest filling station.
Using new technology to address the fuel crisis is a noteworthy development. However, it has to be practical and effective, and it is the authorities’ responsibility to ensure that these solutions suit the Sri Lankan context. If the aforementioned issues remain unaddressed, or if the authorities move ahead with the new system regardless of the said practical challenges, we will not see an end to the fuel queues, nor the fuel black market.
Ensuring the fuel pass doesn’t fail
18 Jul 2022
Ensuring the fuel pass doesn’t fail
18 Jul 2022
The prevailing fuel shortage is one of the main factors that is exacerbating the unavailability and high prices of goods and services, and addressing it can help alleviate the burden of the economic crisis significantly. Even though the Government has come up with various strategies to achieve that, the issue has not been resolved yet, and the fuel crisis remains a pressing issue.
To address this, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara announced the launch of a website – fuelpass.gov.lk – for fuel-seekers to register in order to be eligible to get a weekly, guaranteed quota of fuel. This system, according to him, is intended to curtail fuel markets, ensure an equitable amount of fuel for all fuel-seekers, and to distribute the available stocks of fuel more methodically.
The website was launched on Saturday (16), and on the very first day, it did not give a good impression to those who tried to register. Scores of people who tried to register on the website had complained about a number of technical issues, some of which are caused by a large number of people trying to access it at once. Even though the Minister acknowledged this issue, stating it would be resolved soon and asking people not to rush, there are several practical difficulties even the proper functioning of this website cannot resolve.
The first and perhaps the biggest concern over this system is the number of people who possess the facilities required to register for such a fuel pass, or at least have access to someone else who can provide them such facilities. A considerable segment of vehicle owners do not have smartphones or computers, and not everyone has the technical knowledge to undergo registration on the website.
At the same time, according to the Minister, this system will be the main method through which fuel will be supplied once Sri Lanka receives new fuel stocks, which are scheduled to arrive during the coming few days. In that context, it is necessary to ensure that all vehicle owners register on the said website by the time the authorities start distributing new fuel stocks, and thus the authorities must prioritise ensuring that all aforementioned technical issues are resolved before then. Otherwise, only a small group of vehicle owners – i.e. those who successfully registered – will be able to obtain fuel, while a large number of vehicle owners will not receive the same opportunity.
In fact, a group of vehicle owners are already concerned about the possibility of such a situation arising. They are those who have been waiting in queues for days, mainly at Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), since before the said system was introduced. They question whether they will be rejected fuel once the new system is implemented if they have not registered, or be given fuel through another system that is fair to themselves as well as those who have obtained the said registration. It should be noted that this situation cannot be ignored simply because the Minister has asked them to not wait in queues, because there are tens of thousands of such people.
Even if all activities related to registration, rationing, and prioritisation are implemented in line with the authorities’ plans, the equitable supply of fuel ultimately depends on its adequate and systematic provision. To achieve that, ensuring people work in line with the new system alone is insufficient. Timely and adequate distribution of fuel to fulfill the daily fuel requirement of those eligible to obtain fuel on each day is a matter the authorities should pay attention to. Failure to do so will result in people waiting more than one day to obtain their fuel quota, which will inevitably create fuel queues again, despite having a system to reduce that. Therefore, fuel distribution plans being in line with the receipt of fuel stocks is crucial too.
In fact, it is the adequate supply of fuel in accordance with daily fuel requirements that can help the authorities achieve one of its main objectives – ending the fuel black market. In addition, relying solely on this system to address the fuel black market would be unwise, as fuel station owners/workers, fuel distributors or bowser owners/operators, and essential service workers, will still have free access to fuel, and black market dealers functioning with their support will still be a major issue. Therefore, efforts aimed at curbing the illegal supply or sale of fuel must continue. At the end of the day, these parties have more access to fuel than vehicle owners who sell the fuel they obtain after reaching the end of the queue at the nearest filling station.
Using new technology to address the fuel crisis is a noteworthy development. However, it has to be practical and effective, and it is the authorities’ responsibility to ensure that these solutions suit the Sri Lankan context. If the aforementioned issues remain unaddressed, or if the authorities move ahead with the new system regardless of the said practical challenges, we will not see an end to the fuel queues, nor the fuel black market.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!