News
CPC puts up for sale 500 more gas stations, complains Petroleum General Employees Union
By Chaminda Silva
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was planning to sell another 500 gas stations including 300 run by local businessmen,to Lanka Indian Oil Corporation, President of the Petroleum General Employees Union Dr. Ashoka Ranwala told The Island.
There were 1,200 filling stations that receive fuel from CPC, he said. Only 200 petrol sheds were under the direct control of the CPC.
“The other 1,000 are operated by Sri Lankan businessmen who have used their own capital to establish and develop gas stations,” he said.
“Before 2002, CPC owned 400 gas stations and out of them 200 were sold to LIOC,” Ranwala said.
“Now, the government wants to sell the other 200 gas stations and 300 run by local businessmen to LIOC. In the past, most local businessmen running gas stations would have opposed such a move. But now most of them want to get out of the business because they are not getting fuel. You have to deal with the police, gangsters and angry people. So, most gas station owners are trying to sell their assets,” he said. Ranwala said that the government was trying to undermine the CPC.
“In the early 2000s, the Ranil Wickremesinghe government allowed private operators and the LIOC to take over the lucrative bunkering operation,” he said.
“They also didn’t develop the Sapugaskanda refinery. Running an oil refinery is a profitable business. I don’t know any other refinery that is not profitable. If the government brings in crude oil, the refinery can produce even jet fuel. We sell jet fuel to airlines and get paid in dollars. We can earn about 1.5 million US dollars a day if the refinery is operational,” he said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
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