The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I thank the Hon. Member. With your leave, let me clarify.

¶ 02 The QR code was introduced to limit excessive fuel usage, prevent unnecessary stockpiling, and preserve fuel for essential services in coming months. It is not because of an immediate shortage now, but as a projection-based measure.

¶ 03 There are four categories affecting QR acquisition: 1) Old vehicle + old phone number: no issue. 2) Old vehicle + new phone number: problem. 3) New vehicle + old phone number: problem. 4) New vehicle + new phone number: no issue.

¶ 04 Sri Lanka had no integrated data system. Therefore, for categories (2) and (3), about 2.7 million QR entries had to be deleted one-by-one, which took about one and a half days. We have deleted 2.7 million such entries. Now, we created a better mechanism and tested it. Today at 11.00 a.m., the Ministry of Digital Economy explains it publicly.

¶ 05 Process: - If you have an old vehicle and a new phone number, visit fuelpass.gov.lk and register. It will ask to change your number. You can then enter your vehicle number and delete the old record, and obtain a new QR code. Fraudulent deletions are prohibited and subject to computer crime provisions. - If you have an old phone number and a new vehicle, you can log in with the old number, delete any previously registered vehicle, then add the new vehicle and download the QR.

¶ 06 We expect the difficulties in these two categories to be resolved within today.

¶ 07 On supply: Data shows some districts and some sheds selling about twice the norm. Storage and tanker logistics also limit rapid redistribution. We ask the public not to subject themselves to exploitation. With QR, from tomorrow morning this issue should be resolved.

¶ 08 Finally, we introduced the odd-even method to reduce immediate pressure. With QR, we can manage better. Due to a past tender issue, some vehicles lack number plates; though an agreement was signed on March 10, printing by that company will commence around early May. Those without number plates can obtain fuel by presenting any one of the following that bears the vehicle number: revenue licence, emissions certificate, registration book, or insurance. At rollout, some malpractices may occur, but our priority is to meet public need now; later, relevant ministries will act against malpractices.