The Indian High Commission in Colombo (High Commission) said India delivered 38,000 metric tonnes (t) of petroleum to Sri Lanka, comprising 20,000 t of diesel and 18,000 t of petrol in a shipment dispatched. The High Commission said the supplies were provided as a rescue consignment to address immediate shortages and to ensure continuity of fuel availability. The delivery followed requests from Sri Lankan authorities for urgent assistance amid disruptions to commercial supplies.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath held a telephone conversation on 23 March, the High Commission said, and New Delhi said a call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on 24 March focused on the war in West Asia, disruption in global supply chains and energy cooperation between the two capitals. Officials in New Delhi described the exchanges as part of continued engagement on regional stability and logistical coordination for fuel supplies.

Sri Lanka IOC had earlier secured supplies for March from West Asia and Singapore, the High Commission noted, but suppliers with whom contracts were placed invoked force majeure owing to supply disruptions and vessel unavailability caused by the conflict. India was requested to provide 38,000 t of rescue supplies through Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and the Government of India, via Lanka IOC, moved to support Sri Lanka in maintaining fuel supply continuity.

The High Commission said the shipment aimed to alleviate immediate shortages while longer term commercial arrangements were being pursued, and that coordination would continue to manage imports and distribution. Authorities in Colombo had raised domestic pump prices by 25 per cent in response to supply pressures, and New Delhi's assistance was described as part of cooperation on energy security and bilateral ties.