Sri Lanka has introduced a temporary four day working week in an attempt to conserve dwindling fuel supplies as energy shipments from the Middle East are disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The decision comes as countries across South Asia struggle with severe shortages of oil and liquefied petroleum gas due to disruptions in global energy transport routes.
Authorities said the move is intended to reduce fuel consumption across government institutions and public services at a time when the country is facing difficulties securing adequate energy supplies. The shorter working week will mainly apply to public sector workers, allowing offices to operate four days instead of the usual five while cutting down on transportation and electricity use.
The crisis has been triggered largely by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping corridors. A significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow waterway between Iran and the Gulf states. Any threat to traffic through the strait can quickly affect global energy markets and supply chains.
Recent military developments involving the United States and Israel targeting Iranian facilities have intensified tensions in the region, raising fears about the security of maritime shipping lanes. As a result, several energy shipments from the Gulf have been delayed or halted, affecting countries that rely heavily on imported fuel.
Sri Lanka, which imports nearly all of its petroleum products, has been particularly vulnerable to such disruptions. The country is still recovering from a severe economic crisis that began in 2022, when foreign currency shortages made it difficult to pay for essential imports including fuel, food and medicine.
Government officials say the four day work week is part of a broader set of emergency measures designed to stretch existing fuel reserves while authorities attempt to secure alternative energy supplies. Reducing commuting days for public employees is expected to significantly cut fuel demand in major urban areas.
The shortages are not limited to Sri Lanka. Other South Asian nations including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have also begun implementing crisis management strategies to cope with the disruption in energy supplies. These countries rely heavily on oil and gas imports from Gulf producers, making them particularly sensitive to instability in the Middle East.
Liquefied petroleum gas, commonly used across South Asia for cooking in homes and small businesses, has been especially affected. With shipments delayed or reduced, households in several countries have reported rising prices and shortages of LPG cylinders.
Energy experts warn that prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger broader economic consequences across Asia. In addition to fuel shortages, higher energy prices can lead to increased transportation costs, inflation in food prices and pressure on national budgets already strained by global economic uncertainty.
Sri Lanka’s decision to shorten the working week reflects the urgency of the situation. During previous energy crises, governments have sometimes implemented measures such as fuel rationing, remote work policies and public transport restrictions to reduce demand for limited supplies.
Officials say the policy may remain in place until energy imports stabilise and supply chains from the Gulf return to normal. Authorities are also exploring options to secure additional fuel shipments from alternative suppliers in order to prevent further disruptions to daily life and economic activity.
The government has urged citizens and businesses to conserve energy wherever possible as the country navigates the current supply shock. For many Sri Lankans, memories of the 2022 fuel shortages remain fresh, when long queues formed at petrol stations and transportation networks struggled to operate.
While the four day work week may help ease immediate pressure on fuel reserves, analysts say the situation highlights the vulnerability of import dependent economies to geopolitical conflicts affecting global energy supply routes.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to influence oil markets, countries across South Asia are likely to remain on high alert while monitoring developments that could further affect energy availability in the region.
