TikaWeeks #15/2026: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 10th April 2026
Naturally, we are being asked about the current situation on the ground in Sri Lanka following the disruption of global fuel and commodity supplies due to the Middle East conflict, so here’s a brief summary:
- Petrol/diesel fuel – Sri Lanka has adopted the QR code system instigated in 2022 when the island nearly went bankrupt – and it seems to work. The system allocates a certain amount of fuel per vehicle, and particular sectors are allocated more including tourism. As last time, we are currently managing to source enough fuel for our holidays. However, the price of fuel has increased dramatically – a 33% rise last month! This obviously impacts our transport costs.
- Jet A-1 fuel – The Sri Lanka government has set up a special committee to oversee aircraft fuel supplies. As of the end of last month, Sri Lanka has enough Jet-1 fuel until mid-May with current supplies. Closer to home, European airports have warned the EU that jet fuel shortages could hit the summer holiday season if oil supplies do not start to flow through the strait of Hormuz within the next three weeks.
- Cooking gas – Another price rise at the start of this week takes the increase in cooking gas (liquid petroleum gas; LPG) to over 30% in the past month. However, supplies appear to be sustainable in the short term.
- Fertilizer – With Iran the fourth-largest global supplier of urea, the most widely used fertilizer ingredient, prices have escalated and supplies dropped on the island since the end of February, which is affecting food production. The Sri Lanka government is approaching other countries in a bid to resolve the issue before paddy cultivation during the Yala season (May to September).
- Electricity – Last month, Sri Lanka raised the price of electricity by more than a third as US-Israeli strikes against Iran and retaliatory attacks drove up global energy prices. The country imports all of its oil, hence the government’s introduction of a shorter 4-day working week last month, and buys coal for electricity generation, which hasn’t been helped by the recent coal procurement scandal that not only cost the country Rs100bn but sourced coal of inferior quality, driving up electricity generation costs.
On a brighter and lighter note, Mahoora Wilpattu provides an affordable glamping experience near Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest wildlife reserve. Unlike Yala, Wilpattu offers uncrowded, tranquil wilderness – ideal for those seeking a more intimate and relaxed wildlife experience, where you will be able to spot leopards, elephants and sloth bears amongst many other animals in their natural habitat, without queues of safari jeeps. The all-inclusive glamping safari camp comes with comfortable and spacious tents (full-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, private lounge areas, and verandas), all meals, wine and beer, and water and soft drinks as well as expert-led safaris. Complimentary value-added benefits include nature walks, night safaris and jungle cooking lessons.
Categories: Accommodation, Financial protection, Flights, News, Sri Lanka, Wildlife
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