News

LIOC move killing CPC; govt. in deep slumber – Unionist

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/9

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top spokesperson for the ‘Samagi’ Opposition trade union Ananda Palitha has alleged that differences between the prices of petrol and diesel sold at Lanka IOC filling stations and those sold by CEYPETCO and Laugfs are one of the reasons for the disruption of countrywide fuel supplies.

Ananda Palitha urged newly appointed Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge to reveal why Lanka IOC had been allowed to increase petrol and diesel prices by Rs 27 and 17 respectively.

Responding to another query Palitha, a former employee of the CPC (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) and CPSTL (Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited) said that the Lanka IOC had driven all its customers to the cash-strapped CEYPETCO and Laughs, thereby causing an unprecedented rush at service stations other than those managed by Lanka IOC.

Both the government and the Opposition had conveniently turned a blind eye to the Lanka IOC twice increasing fuel prices on 06 Feb and 25 Feb with the consent of the then Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who exercised the regulatory powers in the absence of the mechanism proposed in terms of Act No 35 of 2002. The trade union activist emphasized that lawmaker Gammanpila could have thwarted the Lanka IOC move.

Ananda Palitha challenged political parties to explain why the proposed mechanism couldn’t be established over the past 20 years.

The Act enacted during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s premiership in 2002 provided for the establishment of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka to regulate certain public utilities, including petroleum, electricity and water.

Ananda Palitha said that the national economy could suffer debilitating losses unless the Parliament ensured the setting up of proper mechanism to regulate fuel prices as soon as possible. The incumbent Energy Minister should exercise regulatory powers until then, the activist said, emphasizing that Lanka IOC was a highly profitable enterprise as its mode of operation was totally different to CEYPETCO.

Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayaka yesterday said that he couldn’t comment on the issue at hand. Ratnayaka said so when The Island sought his opinion on the vast difference in the pricing formula. Ratnayake said that though he served as the Chairman of the PUCSL, the petroleum sector didn’t come under his purview.

A senior Central Bank official told The Island that the sharp differences between fuel prices at CEYPETCO and Laugfs and the Lanka IOC caused massive losses to the government. Pointing out that the Central Bank had asked the government to increase fuel prices, the official said that CEYPETCO couldn’t meet the country’s oil requirement under present conditions.

Ananda Palitha said that Lanka IOC was in a stable condition to maintain the power pricing formula. However, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta has attributed the recent price increases to steep increases in international market prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gupta commented on the Russian invasion on Feb 25, the same day LIOC revised its prices for the second time that month.

According to the Opposition activist, he had retired in Oct 2018 after having served the CPC and CPSTL for 40 years and never believed a government could be so irresponsible. Declaring that the much touted agreement between Sri Lanka and India in respect of the Trincomalee oil tank farm was nothing but a sellout and betrayal of the country, Ananda Palitha claimed that Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Gammanpila should accept responsibility for the current calamity. Ananda Palitha alleged that India couldn’t have negotiated such a one-sided deal even during UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the Prime Minister though he was repeatedly accused of succumbing to Indian pressure.

Ananda Palitha said that the inordinate delay in setting up the regulalatory mechanism in terms of Act No 35 of 2002, allowing Lanka IOC to decide petroleum prices and the agreement on the Trincomalee tank farm should be carefully examined. The then Energy Minister Gammanpila should never have been given the authority to negotiate the Trincomalee deal, Ananda Palitha said.

Lawmaker Gammanpila has explained both in and outside Parliament how proper procedures were followed in negotiating the agreement on Trincomalee oil tank farm. Gammanpila told The Island that there were absolutely no basis for accusations and that he obtained the best terms for the country under the circumstances faced by the country.

All News Advertisement

News

Public Lecture on Ceylon’s Early Press Held at University of Jaffna

Published

19 seconds ago

2026/03/22

Thilina Walpola

A thought-provoking lecture titled “When Ceylon Found Its Voice” was delivered by Avishka Mario Senewiratne, Editor of The Ceylon Journal, at the University of Jaffna. The event was organized by the Department of Linguistics and English and drew a keen audience of students and academics.

Senewiratne explored the development of 19th-century English newspapers and journals in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on the vibrant but understudied periodical culture of Jaffna. He highlighted how these publications contributed to shaping intellectual discourse and public opinion during a formative period in the island’s history.

The lecture was followed by an engaging discussion, during which several important questions and perspectives were raised. Participants from the North offered valuable insights, making the session a meaningful cultural and intellectual exchange.

Senewiratne noted that the Jaffna peninsula remains a largely untapped field for historical research and encouraged interested scholars and students to contribute their findings to The Ceylon Journal, fostering further collaboration and discovery.

News

AGM of Peradeniya alumni’s Colombo Chapter

Published

21 seconds ago

2026/03/22

Thilina Walpola

The 35th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya-Colombo Chapter will be held on Sunday March 29 from 09.30 am to 12.30 pm at the Main Auditorium (Sanhinda), Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), 28/10, Malalasekara Mawatha, Colombo 07, the organizers said.

For details, please visit the web site www.aaupcc.org or contact AAUPCC General Secretary Chandika Indikadahena (cindikadahena@gmail.com or 0715656384).

News

University women celebrate International Women’s Day

Published

36 seconds ago

2026/03/22

Thilina Walpola

Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne, the chief guest, being welcomed on arrival

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women celebrated International Women’s Day in its auditorium at Kitulwatte on March 7, 2026, at an event attended by academics, professionals, and other members of high achievement, including four past Presidents of the SLFUW, an SLFUW news release said.

Proceedings commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, the singing of the National Anthem, and a minute’s silence in memory of departed members followed by a welcome dance. Thereafter, SLFUW President, Engineer Lakmini Nonis made her address extending a warm welcome to the three guest speakers and the assembled gathering.

This year’s UN theme ‘Give to Gain’, has been the Federation’s mission in practice over the years, she said extolling the services rendered by the SLFUW during its 85-year history to help not only graduate women, but also the poor, the disadvantaged and physically impaired women and children of Sri Lanka.

However, much more remains to be done for their uplifting towards which university women must play an important role in advocating, promoting and ensuring the rights of women in our country are maintained, she said.

The distinguished chief guest on this occasion was Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and a towering figure in Sri Lankan higher education, who currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the SLTC Research University.

In her speech, Professor Wijeyaratne drew from her experiences with the ‘girl-child’ and women in Sri Lanka, and the pathetic, helpless and horrific situations some of them are exposed to. Being vulnerable, they need protection, justice, and empowerment which is a continuous process, she said.

Dr. Lilangani de Silva, Consultant Radiologist, gave a power point presentation of the history of the IWD movement, and spoke on the topic ‘Do you regret being born a woman?’ Apparently not!

Dr. Krishanthi Anandawansa, Senior Lecturer in English at the Kotalawala Defence

University, provided an insightful perspective on the evolving role of women in specialized sectors, and the intersection of education, discipline, and career longevity.

In accord with the ‘Give to Gain’ policy, three scholarships were awarded to undergraduates who were severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Mrs. Anjali Gamage, Head, Academic Affairs and Senior Lecturer at Curtin University, Colombo, compered the proceedings, while Mrs. Rukmani Samaranayake, delivered the vote of thanks noting that the American-born educationist, Mrs. Clara Motwani and a group of

selfless, educated ladies set up the SLFUW in 1941 to further the welfare of women in Sri Lanka.