The Managing Director of Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals LTD (CPSTL), Sanjeewa Wijeratne stated that a total of 251 bowsers loaded with fuel had left the Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals today (27) morning.
176 of the bowsers had been supplied from Kolonnawa whereas the remaining 75 were dispatched from Muthurajawela.
Managing Director Sanjeewa Wijeratne stated that 830 metric tonnes of petrol and 1285 metric tonnes of diesel had been loaded in the 176 bowsers dispatched from Kolonnawa, whilst 380 metric tonnes of petrol and 788 metric tonnes of diesel had been supplied from Muthurajawela.
Several trade unions of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) launched a strike action from 12.00 am on Tuesday (25).
The strike was based on three demands; the acquisition of Trincomalee Petroleum tanks complex to the CPC, acquisition of Hambantota Port tanks complex to CPC, and the modernization of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery.
As soon as news about the impending strike came to light, long queues were seen formed at petrol stations the previous night.
Considering the inconvenience faced by the people, the Government on Tuesday (25) declared storage, transport and distribution of petroleum as an essential service through a gazette under the Essential Public Services Act.
Tri-forces personnel and Police entered the storage terminals in Muthurajawela and Kolonnawa yesterday (26) morning, and resumed the distribution process with the assistance of employees not taking part in the strike.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade unions engaged in the strike action yesterday (26) agreed to carry out essential services until 6.30 pm, when discussions were expected to be held with relevant authorities.
After holding discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena, the petroleum trade unions last night (26) decided to temporarily call off their strike. The strike hasaccordingly been called off until next Tuesday (01).
The situation is expected to return to normal within the course of today (27), as fuel supply has been restored.
