SriLanka, Oct. 25 -- Sri Lanka is determined to accelerate its transition to renewable energy spurred by soaring oil prices, but faces major constraints, its energy minister told AFP.

"There are some wake-up calls... pushing us to move more to renewable energy," Anura Karunathilaka said.

"If we can get as much as possible from renewable energy, that would be our policy in the next few years."

The island nation, which imports all its oil and gas needs, has been hit hard since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, which in turn choked off the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

Sharp increases in fuel, gas and electricity prices, rationing and inflation at its highest in three years have dealt a painful blow to an economy o...