### 📈 AI: The New Frontier for Sri Lanka’s Fuel & LPG Security

Recent geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz—where 20% of global oil and gas flows—have triggered a "global energy stress test," with prices potentially exceeding US$ 100 per barrel. For Sri Lanka, traditional reactive management is being replaced by AI-driven strategic resilience. • The Crisis Context The Iran-US-Israel conflict poses an existential threat to energy supplies. Disruptions lead to immediate inflationary pressure, logistical delays in LPG imports, and the rapid depletion of national strategic reserves. • AI-Powered Solutions A global research collective, including four Sri Lankan researchers from York St John University, is developing AI systems to transition from local operational fixes to proactive security. Key applications include: Predictive Modelling: Forecasting price spikes and supply chain halts. Smart Allocation: Managing demand during shortages to prevent public disorder. Early Warning Systems: Linking national dashboards to global energy intelligence. • Strategic Imperatives for Sri Lanka To safeguard the economy, the report advocates for: Digital monitoring of supply chains. Data-driven decision-making for fuel and energy distribution. Investment in AI-enabled crisis response to move from "management" to "prevention." _Summary based on research data from the AI for Climate & Disaster Resilience Research Group (AICDRG) as of March 2026._ ---