About 90% of fuel for most Asian countries travels via the narrow waterway ‘Strait of Hormuz’ that is controlled by the war-ravaged Iran that has been under Israel and US assault since February 28. In the retaliatory drone and missile attacks, the Islamic Republic of Iran strategically struck the fuel production plants in the neighboring Gulf region, including the UAE, which is supporting the Trump-led war. Not only did the attack ensure a halt on the production, slashing the output and spiking the fuel prices over $100 a barrel, but they also blocked the Strait of Hormuz, amped up attacks on the site over tankers, mined the passage and enforced Chinese Yuan in transactions for safe passage. This has only added to the fuel crisis in the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka.
Amid the paranoia and shortage of fuel supply, the Sri Lankan government has introduced few measures to tackle the emergency. For one, Wednesdays have been chucked off the workweek. Public institutions, barring emergency services like Hospitals will now enforce a four-day working week. This also applies for schools and colleges without exception.
Besides the 4-day workweek measure, the government has rationed fuel to 5 liters for motorcycles and 15 liters for private cars. Unlike the first, the second move has largely been criticized.
Sri Lanka announces four-day work week to conserve its scarce fuel reserves as it prepares for a prolonged war in the Middle Easthttps://t.co/RFJhIZrzqp pic.twitter.com/36S0hlGbLy
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 17, 2026
Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off as Asian countries try to conserve fuel https://t.co/mIrNTajEDq
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 17, 2026
Here’s how the internet is reacting to Sri Lanka’s new regulation amid the fuel crisis. One user jibed, “Iran is already giving everyone a 4-day workweek.” Another quipped,
“When Iran sneezes, the whole world catches the cold!”
A third user on X/Twitter stated, “They’re so real for canceling Wednesdays. Iran is creating a whole new generation of fans.”
Yet another user suggested, “I think companies should resort to work from home again like the COVID-19 days. I think many bosses just want to see people sitting by the desks and not really count the productivity. Why carry a laptop to the office to go and do something you could have done at home?”
A fifth user remarked, “India should declare a mandatory WFH for all companies, where they’ve seen the model work during the COVID Scam. No point taking drastic measures AFTER having depleted the reserves.”
When Iran sneezes the whole world catches the cold!
— BASHE X! (@BASHEEX1776) March 17, 2026
Iran already giving everyone 4 day work week.
— John Smith (@smith_john52359) March 17, 2026
I think companies should resort to work from home again like the COVID-19 days. I think many bosses just want to see people sitted by the desks and not really count the productivity. Why carry a laptop to the office to go and do something you could have done at home. pic.twitter.com/ABOElXXbxo
— Desmond (@Desss2017) March 17, 2026
They’re so real for canceling Wednesdays. Iran is creating a whole new generation of fans 🤩
— Donny M (@DanielVarg81627) March 17, 2026
No point taking drastic measures AFTER having depleted the reserves. https://t.co/GvdXBosFDb
— Sangha/ਸੰਘਾ/संघा/سنگھا (@FarmStudioz) March 17, 2026
https://t.co/oamHPfIIpV pic.twitter.com/uIsckGb3Hf
— Araali 🦉 (@joelanthony23) March 17, 2026
Meanwhile,
Workers in multiple countries are switching to four-day work weeks due to oil shortages.
Sri Lanka is introducing a four-day week to preserve fuel reserves.
Many workers in the Philippines are now on 4 day weeks.
Public officials in Pakistan are working four-day weeks as well.— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) March 17, 2026
See Also: More Scoop On Sri Lanka At Mashable India Here
Cover: Illustrative / Pexels
