Cabinet Approves Digital Fuel Cards for Government Vehicles

The Cabinet has given its approval for the introduction of a digital fuel card system for all government vehicles, a move aimed at increasing transparency and improving efficiency in fuel management. Under the new system, fuel payments will be automatically reimbursed via online banking, based strictly on actual fuel consumption, reducing the potential for errors or misuse.

The system has been jointly developed by the Bank of Ceylon and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and is designed to simplify the monitoring and reporting of fuel expenses across all state institutions. Officials say the digital cards will allow for real-time tracking of fuel usage, ensuring that payments are linked directly to consumption and preventing over-claims or fraudulent activities.

To begin with, the program will be piloted with the reserve vehicles of the Presidential Secretariat, allowing authorities to evaluate its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments before wider implementation. Following the pilot phase, the Cabinet plans to expand the system to cover vehicles in other government departments and agencies, standardizing fuel management practices across the public sector.

The initiative reflects the government’s broader efforts to leverage digital solutions to modernize public administration, enhance accountability, and improve the delivery of services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.