A group of CPC employees have been arrested for unruly behavior outside the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal in Kolonnawa. 

Police said that 16 employees including trade union leaders have been placed under arrest. 

The police spokesman said that they are expected to be released on police bail after statements are recorded from them. 

Several trade unions of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) launched a strike action from midnight on Monday (July 24).

The strike is based on three demands including the acquisition of Trincomalee Petroleum tanks complex to the CPC, acquisition of Hambantota Port Tanks Complex to CPC and modernization of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery.

However, considering the inconvenience faced by the people, the government declared storage, transport and distribution of petroleum as an essential service through a gazette under the Essential Public Services Act last night.

Tri-forces personnel and police entered the storage terminals in Muthurajawela and Kolonnawa this morning and resumed the distribution process with the assistance of employees not taking part in the strike. 

CPC workers engaged in the strike resorted to protesting outside the Kolonnawa storage complex after they were removed from the premises. 

UPDATE:

9.40 pm: The 16 CPC employees arrested for unruly behavious near the Kolonnawa Petroleum Storage Terminal have been released on police bail.