Sri Lanka, March 2 -- The government may be compelled to re-introduce the QR-based fuel distribution system if panic buying and stockpiling continue, Energy Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas warned. He said discussions are already under way on reinstating the mechanism should consumers persist in purchasing fuel beyond normal requirements.

Addressing the media yesterday (1), he said the country's fuel reserves and procurement pipeline remain secure, with storage facilities currently at full capacity and sufficient stocks available for more than a month.

Ilyas explained that Sri Lanka sources the majority of its petrol, diesel and aviation fuel through international trading channels rather than direct procurement from Middle Eastern producers,...