News
Trade unionist alleges long queues due to restrictions on releasing of fuel
‘Sufficient stocks available now’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera kept on saying that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel were being released to the market, but the country continues to experience serious shortages of fuel.
There are long queues for both petrol and diesel in Colombo, its suburbs as well as in the Provinces.
Opposition trade union leader Ananda Palitha yesterday (23) alleged that although the CPC and IOC had sufficient stocks of diesel and petrol, adequate quantities were not released as the government was unsure of fresh procurement once the stocks were depleted.
Palitha, who served the government petroleum sector for nearly 40 years before retiring recently said that the Power and Energy Ministry should immediately do away with restrictions on the releasing of petrol and diesel.
Responding to another query, Palitha emphasised that the market couldn’t be controlled by imposing restrictions.
Such measures would only help create black market, he said.
According to the Samagi Jana Balavegaya activist, the petrol and diesel stocks now available and the consignments that were to be unloaded within the next several days would meet the demand for both products for nearly a month each. Palitha said that such stocks included both those obtained through the Indian credit line and other purchases. “Both Ceypetco and Lanka IOC have approximately 120,000 mt of petrol and diesel 157,000 mt in their depots.
Ceypetco Chairman Sumith Wijesinha was not available for comment. Lanka IOC spokesperson, too, didn’t answer his mobile phone.
Palitha questioned Power and Energy Minister Wijesekera’s efforts to improve the situation by threatening to suspend the supply of petroleum products to filling stations affected by violent incidents. The trade unionist pointed out that the young minister should realise that there were protests because the government had imposed restrictions on supplies. “Why should consumers and service station owners be made to suffer due to the government’s folly?” Ananda Palitha asked.
Commenting on the possibility of another fuel price increase, Ananda Palitha said that Lanka IOC was seeking another price revision. Referring to Minister Wijesekera’s recent statement on the need for Ceypetco and Lanka IOC to have a common pricing formula, Ananda Palitha asked for how long the government could delay another upward revision.
Ananda Palitha said that the government should without further delay take the public into confidence and tell them about IMF conditions.
With pressure mounting on service stations, the government has deployed both police and the military to control angry crowds. At Badulla over the weekend, an argument among those waiting at a fuel queue led to a person’s neck being slashed. The police identified him as a private bus worker.
Police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa alleged that some organised groups were trying to cause unnecessary friction among consumers. The police were aware of the situation, the official said, urging the public not to fall prey to rabble rousers.
Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said that his first priority would be to meet the fuel requirement of the farming community. The SLFPer said that he would discuss the issue at hand with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister Wijesekera. Severe shortage of fuel had hindered farming activities, the minister said.
It has been reported quoting police sources that the death toll from the renewed unrest at the Negombo Prison which this morning, has risen from nineteen to twenty five (25).
A clash initially broke out between two groups of inmates (a group of remand prisoners and a group of convicted inmates serving sentences) at the Negombo Prison at around 1.00 p.m. on Sunday (05).
Two inmates died in yesterday’s clash, while around 40 others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at hospital.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the children of Sri Lanka are well capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical ways of thinking, and that the Government is committed to equipping them with the required knowledge and modern technologies necessary to realize their full potential.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the ’Arumasiya’ Exhibition and the occasion of laying the foundation stone for a new three-storey building at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, on the 4th of July.
During the visit, the Prime Minister officially declared open the exhibition showcasing the students’ innovations and creative talents and commended them for their remarkable achievements. The Prime Minister also participated in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the College’s new three-storey building.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“It is a pleasure to participate in this special event at Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, the school where Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister received her education
I had the opportunity to visit the exhibition featuring the outstanding creations and innovations of the students. What I witnessed was a group of talented young people who have moved beyond textbook learning and are capable of viewing the world with creativity and critical thinking.
We are introducing a new education reform process that moves away from a rote-learning, examination-oriented system towards a practical and skills-based one. The Government is now systematically completing all the necessary preparations to implement the new education reforms scheduled to commence in 2027.
Our objective is to ensure that every child leaving school has access to vocational and technical education that matches their individual talents and meets the demands of the modern labour market. We are committed to transforming vocational education into a field that enjoys the same dignity and recognition as university education.
Finally, I commend the Principal and the academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College for organizing this exhibition, and to the students and parents whose dedication made this event a success.”
The event was attended by Members of Parliament for Ratnapura District Wasantha Pushpa Kumara and Sunil Rajapaksha, the Mayor of Balangoda and members of the Municipal Council, the Zonal Director of Education, the Principal and academic staff of Balangoda Vidyaloka Central College, parents, and students.
Prime Minister’s Media Division
The appointment of a Special Parliamentary Ombudsman (SPO) to inquire into the complaints against the Attorney General, as promised in the NPP manifesto, is on hold, pending the establishment of an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
Authoritative sources told The Island that the Justice and National Integration Ministry was awaiting the recommendations, regarding the new legislation for the establishment of such an Office, from a Committee of Technical Experts, chaired by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC.
Responding to a query raised in Parliament by SJB lawmaker Ajith P. Perera about the delay in appointment of SPO, Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government couldn’t take a decision until the Kodagoda Committee made recommendations.
Nanayakkara said that the positioning of the SPO couldn’t be decided before they differentiate the powers of the Attorney General and the an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers.
According to the NPP manifesto, provincial Sub Officers were to be established under a senior Additional Solicitor General.
Opposition sources pointed out that the relevant Cabinet decision was taken on 7 May 2025. According to the Cabinet Office, the government decided to establish an Independent Office of the Public Prosecutor and provincial Sub Officers in line with a proposal made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her final report on Sri Lanka, submitted in September, 2024.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Death toll in violent clashes at Negombo Prison rise to 25
The Government is committed to equipping children with new technology and knowledge – PM
Bellingham inspires 10-man England to beat Mexico 3-2 in last-16 thriller
Haaland scores twice as Norway stun Brazil 2-1 in World Cup 2026 last 16
A few showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Appointment of SPO to probe AG on hold until establishment of Ind. Public Prosecutor’s Office
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features7 days agoClimate action to bring South Asia together
-
News7 days agoChamuditha to seek removal of injunction on Youtube programme
-
News2 days agoSingapore-based Buddhist monk marks nearly four decades of humanitarian service
-
News3 days agoFreedom 250: US Embassy celebrates America’s 250th Independence Day through magic of American cinema
-
News4 days agoCIABOC to question Harak Kata on Rs. 200 mn bribery allegation
-
News4 days agoSLAF conducts successful rescue mission under UN command in Central African Republic
-
Opinion7 days agoMatara Maha Keralla– Uprising against the Dutch
-
Midweek Review6 days agoH’tota port’s strategic status remains focal point of geopolitical scrutiny