News
Unionist asks why long queues at filling stations when CPC has large fuel stocks
Calls for probe into controversial Govt-LIOC diesel deal
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Opposition trade union activist Ananda Palitha says large stocks of both diesel and petrol are available at the Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela storage tanks, but they are not efficiently delivered to filling stations.
The retired CPC employee said that the government should inquire into the continuing chaotic situation.
Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela are the main distribution points whereas sufficient storage facilities are maintained at district level to meet the demand.
Responding to another query, Palitha pointed out that earlier the government hadn’t been able to procure adequate stocks due to the shortage of USD. After having procured the required stocks, now those
responsible did not distribute fuel efficiently.
The unionist alleged that the Parliamentary Opposition, too, had failed to take up the issues on behalf of the public.
Palitha urged the government to inquire into the inordinate delay in delivering both petrol and diesel against the backdrop of the controversial agreement with the Lanka IOC to obtain diesel. Claiming that the CPC continued to suffer staggering losses due to the agreement reached several months ago, Palitha asked whether it had been scrutinized by the Attorney General’s department. “Cash-strapped CPC paid as much as Rs 79 more on each litre of diesel bought from the LIOC storage in Trincomalee than the retail price of a litre at Ceypetco stations. The losses are mounting,” Palitha said.
“I have all necessary documents to prove how the agreement has caused huge losses to the state coffers at a time the government is struggling to cope up with a severe balance of payments crisis,” Palitha said, urging the government to examine the circumstances leading to the agreement with India/LIOC.
Commenting on the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) directly seeking Indian intervention to procure a consignment of diesel to provide uninterrupted electricity during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period next week, Palitha said that the government should be ashamed of this development.
That meant the PUCSL had no regard for the government and didn’t foresee any trouble as a result of taking on itself the responsibility of a Cabinet minister, Palitha said. The Opposition, too, should be concerned about this development, he added.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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