PRESS NOTE

Following the telephone conversation between Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka on March 24, 2026, a shipment of 38,000 MT of petroleum of which 20,000 MT is diesel and 18000 MT petrol has arrived in Colombo today 28th March, 2026. On March 23, 2026, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath had also held a telephone conversation.

2. Lanka IOC had earlier secured fuel supplies for March from the Middle East and Singapore. However, suppliers with whom the contracts were placed, expressed their inability to deliver the product and invoked force Majeure, in view of supply disruptions and vessel unavailability due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 
   
   
3. Due to the above disruptions, Rescue supplies were requested from India from IOCL. The current shipment of 38,000 MT is part of these supplies. Government of India, through Lanka IOC, has extended support to Sri Lanka for maintaining continuity of fuel supply.

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28 March 2026