A total collapse of the Sri Lanka economy has led to a strict fuel-rationing system being enforced by a QR code linked to the national identification database..The use of such a system mimics Chinese Communist Party-style social credit and digital identity systems across the world..Kanchana Wijesekera, minister of power and energy for the Sri Lanka government, stated the police and military had been deployed to "tokenize gasoline and diesel sales.".On Sunday, Wijesekera announced the fuel stations across the country will issue tokens for consumers as only limited stocks of fuel were available.."The assistance of the Sri Lankan army and police had been sought and token numbers would be given to the public to fill petrol and diesel as only limited quantities were available," Wijesekera said..According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, the public was requested to register their mobile numbers at their nearest filling stations and once their numbers were issued, they would be notified..Wijesekera told residents the arrival date of the next fuel shipments was "unsure," but the two ministers "would leave for Russia on Monday to discuss fuel imports from Russia and other related matters.".Fuel prices recently rose for the fourth time in Sri Lanka leaving residents feeling the pinch at the pumps..Daily Mirror reported a litre of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs 50 while a litre of Petrol 95 Octane by Rs 100, the auto diesel has also been increased by Rs 60 and a litre of super diesel has been increased by Rs 75. One Indian Rupee equals .016 to the Canadian Dollar..The new price of a litre of Petrol Octane 92 is Rs 470 and Octane 95 is Rs 550..Meanwhile, Sri Lanka decided to limit fuel for private vehicles as the fuel shortage continues to worsen..In a statement, Wijesekera said public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive.."Therefore, limited stocks of diesel and petrol will be distributed to a few gas stations throughout next week," Wijesekera said..He also urged the general public not to line up for fuel..Sri Lanka is an island nation off the Southern coast of India and home to more than 22 million people.
