Two weeks after formally requesting the United States to extend its sanctions waiver on Russian oil and petroleum products, Sri Lanka has still received no response from Washington, casting uncertainty over the island nation’s immediate fuel import plans.
The request was personally conveyed to US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor during his visit to Colombo two weeks ago. Despite the pressing timeline, government sources confirmed there has been complete silence from the US side so far.
In March, President Donald Trump issued a temporary 30-day waiver permitting the import of sanctioned Russian crude oil and petroleum products already at sea. That waiver expires on April 11 just six days from now. Sri Lankan authorities have clearly stated they cannot finalize any new fuel purchase agreement with Russia without a guaranteed extension of at least three months.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We made the request at the highest level two weeks ago. Until we get a clear response from the US, we are unable to proceed with the Russian fuel deal.”
While awaiting Washington’s decision, Colombo is simultaneously strengthening long-term energy cooperation with Moscow. Foreign Affairs Minister Herath is scheduled to travel to Russia next month to follow up on last month’s high-level visit to Colombo by Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin.
During the upcoming visit, Minister Herath is expected to sign several government-to-government agreements to secure stable supplies of fuel, coal, and fertiliser — critical commodities for Sri Lanka’s energy security and agricultural sector.
