News
Dayasiri warns of steep CPC revenue loss due to entry of foreign fuel companies
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Dissident Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP, Dayasiri Jayasekera, has expressed concern over a potential 50% drop in the revenue of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) due to the entry of foreign companies into the petroleum market.
Jayasekera highlighted the adverse impact of the policies of successive governments on the CPC.
“The nationalisation of petroleum infrastructure was a great victory for the country. However, we have ruined the CPC. The government said the price of fuel would drop when new companies enter the retail fuel trade, but all companies sell fuel at the same price. Prices won’t go down even if United Petroleum Australia and US-based RM Parks come either,” he said.
The MP emphasised that when the CPC was the sole fuel retailer, money spent by Sri Lankans on fuel remained within the country. The CPC’s retail fuel revenue typically ranged between 78 and 83 billion rupees.
Earlier, one of the conditions imposed on the new entrants was that the money earned by selling fuel could be taken out of the country after one year. The money earned by selling fuel can be converted to US dollars only nine months after the sale of it. The other condition was that one percent of the monthly revenue would be held by the Ministry of Power or an institution assigned by the government.
“These conditions were initially imposed because the government said neither the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) nor the Lanka IOC had maintained adequate dollar reserves to buy fuel, leading to shortages in 2022. These conditions were also imposed to ensure these companies did not take away the profits immediately,” he said.
However, this was later scrapped by the Cabinet. “They are now saying that since the economy has stabilised those companies can convert rupees into dollars and take it out almost immediately. Apparently, the government will earn about 1.5 billion from these companies when they get their businesses running. But the country will lose over 40 billion,” he said.
Jayasekera highlighted that as per the agreements signed between the government and the prospective retail fuel companies, a stipulation was set that required these firms to initiate operations within 45 days of signing the agreement. However, Jayasekera pointed out that RM Parks, despite signing the agreement nearly six months ago, has yet to commence operations as per the agreed terms.
Dr Ashoka Ranwala, President of the General Employees’ Union of the Petroleum Corporation, said the SLFP MP’s concerns were valid and that the government was trying to undermine the CPC and other state-owned enterprises.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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