By Rathindra Kuruwita

Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) was charged USD 0.22 to unload a metric tonne of fuel at China bay, but the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had to pay USD 2.72 per tonne, Convener of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Ananda Palitha, told the media yesterday.

Thus, the cost incurred by LIOC is significantly lower than that by the CPC, he said.

“LIOC sheds didn’t have fuel a few days ago but there was enough fuel at their storage complex in Trincomalee. They have enough stocks but they stopped distribution,” Palitha said.

The JSS union boss said that given the increase in prices by LIOC no one would pump diesel and 92 octane patrol at their sheds. More people will go to CPC filling stations and soon CPC bigwigs and the minister would complain about losses, he said.

“So, the CPC will also jack up fuel prices,” Palitha said.

Meanwhile Bandula Saman Kumara, the Chairman of Commercial Industries and Services Progressive Workers Union said that there was no shortage of fuel in the country. However, certain sections had created an artificial shortage.

“A lot of people also lined up at sheds and this created shortages in certain areas. As long as there is no transparency and a method of prior communication, people will keep on responding to rumours,” he said.