Another Indian fuel vessel, HARI ANAND, arrived at the Colombo Port yesterday (29), carrying 36,000 metric tonnes (MT) of diesel and petrol, as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with fuel supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
The vessel docked at the Dolphin Jetty at around 1:30 p.m., with pumping operations to the Kolonnawa storage complex commencing shortly thereafter, according to authorities. The consignment includes 18,000 MT of diesel and 18,000 MT of 92-octane petrol.
This marks the second fuel shipment from India within days, following the arrival of a 38,000 MT consignment at the Colombo Harbour on 28 March.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for the support extended to Sri Lanka amid the ongoing energy crisis.
The President stated that he had spoken with Prime Minister Modi earlier this week regarding the fuel supply disruptions faced by Sri Lanka due to the Middle East conflict.
In a post on X on 28 March, he said: “Grateful for India’s swift support. 38,000 MT of fuel arrived in Colombo. My thanks also to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for his close coordination.”
The Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed that the earlier shipment was dispatched following a telephone conversation between President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi on 24 March.
In parallel, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also held discussions on 23 March to coordinate support.
Earlier, Lanka IOC had secured fuel supplies for March from the Middle East and Singapore. However, suppliers were unable to deliver shipments, invoking force majeure due to vessel unavailability and supply disruptions amid the ongoing conflict.
Following the setback, emergency fuel supplies were sought from India through the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), with the 38,000 MT shipment forming part of these arrangements.
The Indian High Commission stated that the Government of India stepped in to ensure the continuity of fuel supplies to Sri Lanka through Lanka IOC.
Second Indian fuel shipment arrives at Colombo Port amid supply disruptions
