Shell Returns to Sri Lanka’s Fuel Retail Market with First Branded Station in Ambatale

Shell officially returned to the Sri Lankan fuel retail market on February 26, 2025, opening its first branded station in Ambatale after a six-decade absence. In partnership with RM Parks and Tristar Group, the company planned to rebrand 150 retail fuel stations across the island over the next few years. Key Details of Shell's Return: • Partnership: The initiative is a collaboration between Shell Brands International AG, US-based RM Parks Inc., and UAE-based Tristar Group. • Expansion Plan: RM Parks aims to rebrand 150 existing fuel stations and has been awarded a 20-year contract to operate in the country. • Modernization: New stations will feature upgraded facilities, including automated dispensers, convenience stores, and potentially electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. • Strategic Impact: This move is part of the Sri Lankan government’s strategy to liberalize the energy market, ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply, and bring in foreign investment to boost the economy. The Ambatale station is operated under a partnership involving Shell, RM Parks (Private) Limited, and Tristar Group. The collaboration forms part of a broader plan to re-establish Shell’s retail footprint across the island. According to company announcements made around the launch, the partnership aims to rebrand approximately 150 fuel stations over the coming years. Sri Lanka’s fuel retail sector has undergone structural changes in recent years, particularly following the economic challenges faced by the country in 2022, which led to fuel shortages and long queues at filling stations nationwide. In response, the government-initiated reforms to attract new international players into the market to improve supply stability and competition. Shell’s return follows these reforms, positioning the company as one of the international brands re-entering the sector under a new operating framework. The Ambatale station opening on 26/02/2025 marked the operational start of Shell-branded retail activity in Sri Lanka under the new partnership structure. The rebranding program is expected to proceed in phases, with stations across different regions gradually transitioning to Shell branding over the next few years. Shell’s previous operations in Sri Lanka date back to the mid-20th century, before the sector was nationalized and later consolidated under state-owned entities. The 2025 return therefore represents the company’s first direct branded retail presence in the country since the 1960s.