Despite CPC assurances about fuel supplies, large number of gas stations remain closed

By Rathindra Kuruwita

A large number of gas stations had been closed despite assurances from the CPC that adequate amounts of fuel would be dispatched, Shantha Silva, joint Secretary, Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA), said yesterday.

Earlier, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that the CPC had rectified ‘distribution lapses’ that led to queues near gas stations.

“The CPSTL will continue to distribute 4,000 tonnes of diesel and 3,000 tonnes of petrol daily. Requirements for buses and school services have been fulfilled. Another consignment of 35,000 tonnes of Petrol 92 is being unloaded since Tuesday night,” the minister said.

However, most gas stations have not received fuel by Wednesday noon, Shantha Silva said.

“A lot of gas station owners have paid the CPC but the stocks are not arriving,” he said, adding that the CPC no longer accepted cheques from them and a large number of gas station owners found it hard to deposit cash, given the recent drop in income.

“This is another reason why some sheds are not getting fuel. We have to deposit 10 million rupees before 9. 30 am to order diesel and petrol. This is a tough task and this is why some gas station owners aren’t ordering,” he said.

“Is this our fault? Do they expect us to carry 10 million rupees around? Some people were abducted while doing this. It will be better if we can go back to the previous system,” he said.