CPC trade unions decide to temporarily halt supplying fuel

Trade unions of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have decided to temporarily suspend the supply of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board and private power plants from midnight today.

The trade unions claim that Minister of Power and Energy Ravi Karunanayake should be held responsible for the opposition from the public to the project to lay pipelines in Mahawatte, Mutuwal for the transportation of fuel to the Kolonnawa Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd.

The trade unions claim that the existing pipelines are not up to required standards and that a large cost and time is incurred in transporting the fuel.

The Treasurer of the CPC Executive Officer Union Manu Jayawardene said they will not resume duties until new pipelines are laid.

He noted they will not resume distributions until the subject Minister addressed their grievances.He noted of the three abandoned pipelines, they had renovated 97% of a 5.5km stretch with just 140m pending.

Jayawardene claimed that several illegal settlers in the area were of the opinion that authorities must provide them housing prior to the renovation work.

He charged that during the protest Minister Ravi Karunanayeke visited the location and halted the renovation process.

The official claimed that all trade unions attached to the CPC are strongly against the move as one of their main objectives is to supply power and to maintain its stability.

Manu Jayawardene also stated that the subject Minister, the President and the Prime Minister have been notified of the strike action.

When inquired by  Jaffnazone.com correspondent, Minister of Petroleum Industries Kabir Hashim said he will intervene and provide suitable solutions.

The Minister said the Prime Minister will work to resolve the concerns over the next few days. He added the relevant pipelines can be constructed as planned.

Minister Hashim stated that the grievances of area residents will also be solved in the coming weeks.