News
‘LIOC increases prices to cut down losses at CPC’s expense’
Huge increase in sales volumes disastrous for Ceypetco – CPC chairman
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe says Lanka IOC has increased its fuel prices by Rs. 5 a litre to curtail its losses by making its customers obtain fuel from Ceypetco fuel stations.
Wijesinghe said so when The Island sought an explanation as regards the mechanism in place to revise fuel prices and whether Lanka IOC required the government permission to do so. Wijesinghe emphasised that Lanka IOC move was calculated to discourage customers coming to its fuel stations thereby would sharply increase financial losses on the state enterprise as its fuel was highly subsidised to protect the local consumer.
“In other words, the surge in sales volumes will automatically increase losses. The same result can be achieved by increasing petrol and diesel by just two rupees, each,” Wijesinghe said.
Responding to another query, Wijesinghe pointed out that Lanka IOC clearly sought to cut down on their losses by forcing its regular customers to visit Ceypetco fuel stations. The outspoken official said that as their competitor is on record as having said that they suffered a loss of Rs. 20 and Rs.40 per ltr, on the sale of petrol and diesel, respectively, Lanka IOC strategy was clear.
Lanka IOC is a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation which comes under the purview of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is the only private party that operates fuel stations here.
CPC Chief said as a result of increased volume of sales their stocks would be depleted much faster. Wijesinghe described the situation as ‘grave’ and quite a concern to cash-strapped loss making public sector enterprise.
According to him, the problem was much worse than the public realised. The Indian strategy would cause a catastrophic situation, Wijesinghe said.
Wijesinghe admitted that Lanka IOC didn’t require Energy Ministry consent to revise fuel prices. The enterprise that entered the Sri Lankan market during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s premiership in 2003 is the eighth largest listed company here.
The official stressed that urgent revision of fuel prices was a dire necessity as the overall financial situation remained precarious. Ceypetco’s network of fuel stations is much larger than Lanka IOC’s.
Lanka IOC in a statement issued Thursday night said that the selling price of petrol and diesel here remained significantly low as compared to the prices prevailing in the neighboring countries. “The prices of petrol and diesel need to be in line with the prices prevailing in the international market,” the company said in a statement e-mailed to The Island.
Lanka IOC refrained from revising the prices of Lanka Super Diesel and LP 95. The previous price revision took place on June 12.
Asked whether Ceypetco would match the Lanka IOC’s price increase immediately to counter the competitor’s strategy, CPC Chairman said that the issue at hand required a thorough examination of the full picture as they couldn’t contain the rapid deterioration of the finances unless a substantial increase was implemented.
Claiming the mounting losses were unbearable, Managing Director LIOC Manoj Gupta said that the company had increased the prices to the barest minimum. Responding to The Island queries, Gupta said that Lanka IOC didn’t require GoSL approval to revise fuel prices. According to the Indian official, Lanka IOC had been empowered by ‘virtues of previously signed agreements with GOSL to take independent commercial decisions.“
As at Oct. 21 the international price of Gasoil 500ppm was at $ 95.62/barrel and Gasoline92 $ 99.37/barrel.
The last price revision took place on June 12, 2021. However, since then the Brent crude oil prices have increased from $72/barrel to $86/barrel in the international market.
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila on Oct. 15 revealed that when raised the possibility of Treasury assistance to the CPC with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, he was told in no uncertain terms the Finance Ministry was not in a position to do so.
In the wake of simmering controversy over the fuel price hike announced by Minister Gammanpila on June 12 with General Secretary of the SLPP attorney-at-law Sagara Kariyawasam demanding the minister’s resignation, the latter declared that the revision of fuel prices was the prerogative of the Finance Minister.
Attorney-at-law Gammanpila explained that in his capacity as the Energy Minister, he only made the announcement of a decision taken at a meeting attended by both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Asked by The Island yesterday (22) afternoon whether the Ceypetco would match Lanka IOC price hike immediately, Minister Gammanpila said ‘No.’
In terms of the 2003 agreement with the UNP government, Lanka IOC has the strategically located China Bay oil tank farm, the largest such facility situated between the Middle East and Singapore. The tank farm, formerly owned and operated by CPC, has 99 tanks, each with a capacity of 12,000 litres. Of them, only 15 of these tanks are operational at the moment.
Commenting on the ongoing talks with about half a dozen countries to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Gammanpila said that the cabinet of ministers recently approved a proposal to obtain USD 3.6 billion loan from Oman to repay in 20 years with a five-year grace period. According to him, the Omani offer had been undoubtedly the best and the government was going ahead with it. The offer now before the cabinet of ministers would give the government an opportunity to use USD 500 mn overdraft to order refined products from India.
Minister Gammanpila said that there had been other offers from China, UAE and Singapore though at the moment they were committed to Omani and Indian proposals.
Asked to explain the Indian offer, Minister Gammanpila said that USD 500 overdraft could be obtained with 4 percent interest payable in one year.
“Once settled, we’ll be eligible for USD 500 mn overdraft again.”
Interdicted Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana yesterday (29) alleged that the powers that be moved against him for seeking the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) investigation into a massive fraud at the NHSL laboratory.
Dr. Bellana said so in response to The Island query regarding the circumstances the Health Ministry interdicted him on 18 December, through a letter, as directed by the Health Committee of the Public Service (PSC) Commission. “That letter has been signed by an Additional Secretary, as Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was overseas,” Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana stated that the government had paid for reagents, contaminated or close to expiry dates, obtained from a leading local medical supplier, since 2022. He emphasised that his complaint to the CIABOC, and subsequent complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were entirely based on the issues raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana said that the public funds, amounting to Rs. 900 mn, had been spent on chemical reagents past expiry dates. Regardless of the intervention made by the NAO, the NHSL continued to procure supplies from the same company, Dr. Bellana said, adding that he had received the unconditional support of the civil society. Among them were Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), President of Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh, and leader of Mage Rata Sanjaya Mahawatta.
Dr. Bellana said that he had complained about the scam to the CIABOC in June this year.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who also lodged a complaint with CIABOC, regarding the same matter, is on record as having said in September this year that the reagents had been procured over a three-year period without the proper approval of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry. Dr. Sanjeewa has alleged that some of the reagents were either contaminated or close to expiry dates, while contracts had been given to a single company at unapproved prices.
Dr. Bellana said that had there been a proper system for CIABOC and law enforcement authorities to act on findings made by the NAO they wouldn’t have personally intervened in the NHSL laboratory matter. “Parliament should look into this. Did Parliament take up the NHSL laboratory matter at the relevant watchdog committee or at the Sectoral Oversight Committee that handled health?” Dr. Bellana asked.
Asked whether the letter that informed him of his interdiction gave any specific reason for the action taken, Dr. Bellana said the Ministry had found fault with him for speaking to the media. The irate ex-official said that he never hesitated to take a stand against injustice. “When former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of corruption, pertaining to medical procurement, I condemned the Minister. Lambasted those responsible for wrongdoings.”
Dr. Bellana said that the NAO had dealt with mega crime involving the public and private sector. “That is the undeniable truth. Parliament should look into this as public money is its responsibility. Having vowed to stamp out corruption, the NPP was allowing and encouraging those who had been making money at the expense of the sick, Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana said that as many as 10,000 tests were conducted daily at the NHSL. The racketeers had been active during Aragalaya as the NHSL and the private supplier reached agreement in 2022 and the process continued even after the last presidential election, conducted in September 2024.
Dr. Bellana said that the long delay in finalising the Auditor General’s appointment exposed the government. If those holding high political office were genuinely interested in fighting corruption, they wouldn’t have allowed that Office of AG stay vacant even for a day.
Dr. Bellana noted the tough statements issued by the Bar Association, Transparency International Sri Lanka and the Committee on Public Finance demanding the immediate appointment of AG.
Health Ministry officials were not available for comment.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
BIA unions, including those affiliated to political parties, are demanding bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries.
A group of workers yesterday (29) protested outside BIA urging the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd to increase their bonuses. They claimed that the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd., Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrama, had assured them that they would be paid bonuses worth five times their basic salaries.
The SriLankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the airport, the Podujana Sewaka Sangamaya, the Pragathishili Sewaka Sangamaya, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, and the SLNSS of SriLankan Airlines joined the protest.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has issued an urgent safety warning to residents living along the banks of the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River, as water levels in the Kotmale Reservoir are reaching maximum capacity.
According to a special weather advisory issued by the Department of Meteorology on December 26, 2025, heavy rainfall is expected in the catchment areas over the coming days.
In response, the Mahaweli Authority released a statement on December 27, warning that spill gates may have to be opened to manage the water flow.
Eng. A.M.A.K. Seneviratne, Resident Engineer and Deputy Director of the Kotmale Reservoir, stated that the opening of spill gates would lead to a significant rise in the water levels of both the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River.
Areas on Alert
Residents in the following Divisional Secretariat divisions are urged to remain extra vigilant:
• Nuwara Eliya District: Kotmale West and Kotmale East.
• Kandy District: Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Pasbage Korale, and Ganga Ihala Korale.
Authorities have advised the public in these low-lying and river-adjacent areas to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the protection of their property.
By S.K. Samaranayake
Showers expected at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North-central and Uva provinces
Dr. Bellana: “I was removed as NHSL Deputy Director for exposing Rs. 900 mn fraud”
BIA unions demand bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries
People warned of rising water levels at Kotmale reservoir
Lahore Aitchison College students visit Pakistan High Commission, Colombo
GMOA may take up Dr. Bellana’s issue at ex-co
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