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ACPBA wants to run buses on kerosene

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3 March 2018 04:45 pm - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The All Ceylon Private Bus Association (ACPBA) said yesterday they would request the government to use kerosene as fuel for buses instead of diesel.

ACPBA Secretary Anjana Priyanjith told Daily Mirror that about 30 per cent of private buses in the country were now using kerosene.

“Using kerosene as a fuel for buses has now become a trend among private bus operators. Bus engines have been designed to use diesel, but the diesel engine mechanism could also modified to be operated with kerosene,” he said.

“We fill the tank with kerosene and add two litres of DS-40 oil into it. Kerosene can be used efficiently after adjusting the pressure of the diesel pump and results in the owner's income being increased by about 50 per cent. This method does not need any increase to the bus fare," Mr. Priyanjith said.

A litre of Lanka auto diesel is sold at Rs.95, while a litre of Lanka kerosene is sold at Rs.44.

However, the Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) President Sarath Vijitha Kumara denied this claim.

“Bus engines are not designed to use kerosene and it is not safe, and these unscrupulous methods are resorted to by bankrupt bus owners,” he said.

Mr. Kumara said Mr. Priyanjith should discuss these changes with other bus owners organisations before making such statements.

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said using kerosene in buses was illegal as it was sold in Sri Lanka to low income families.

“Kerosene can be used with higher profits in view but when it causes mechanical faults, repairs will be costly,” he said. “Even engines would have to be replaced if this method is used and is dangerous as it is more inflammable than diesel with very high emissions. Insurance cannot be claimed. We should switch the bus service to an eco-friendly system and it is time to convert to electric buses.”

Recently, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) banned the distribution of Lanka Kerosene Oil (Red) to vehicles, factories and other wholesale outlets after discovering that many dealers have been distributing Lanka Kerosene instead of Industrial Kerosene.

Lanka Kerosene is red in colour while industrial kerosene is colourless. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)


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  Comments - 15

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  • Dutu gamunu Saturday, 03 March 2018 02:13 PM

    Who is making this kind of stupid suggestions. Should be political influence. Otherwise they are not thinking this much stupidity. via DM Android App

    jonson Saturday, 03 March 2018 04:01 PM

    This is a type of WANDHA BEHETH for the busses and peoples health pollution. All Sri Lankans must raise up to stop this. via DM Android App

    Samantha Saturday, 03 March 2018 08:20 PM

    Say "No" to this. They only think about their pockets, not people and the country.it is very bad for human health and environment. We musy ban even diesel emmission.

    Sanju Saturday, 03 March 2018 08:40 PM

    NOOOOOOO !!!

    Sanka Saturday, 03 March 2018 09:02 PM

    Government must take a firm action for this maniac. To make the profit they are requesting to use kerosine. They don’t don’t think about public health, the air pollution. Next they will request to hit and run as well. Rather than b coming advance, Sri Lanka is going backward. Other countries even trying minimise or stop using fossil fuels.

    patriot Saturday, 03 March 2018 09:48 PM

    Why not use coconut oil as well? That way we don't have to import petroleum and can be self sufficient.

    Jarn Saturday, 03 March 2018 10:05 PM

    This system was introduced by LTTE. They were pro on please consult ex LTTE engineers they know better than uni professors .

    Ragu Sunday, 04 March 2018 11:26 AM

    27 years old jaffna technology. It was introduced in 90s when government baned the fuel in North

    Kumar Saturday, 03 March 2018 10:57 PM

    All I see is the profit margin because of the price difference of the products. If Kerosene could be used as an alternate to diesel then the industry world wide would jumped on it. If oil is added to every tank fuel then free carbon and unburnt oil will add more pollution to the air everybody breath in. I suppose Sri Lankans don't care about clean air as long as bank accounts look good.

    ANTON Sunday, 04 March 2018 09:54 AM

    KEROSENE OIL IN THEIR BRAINS....... THAT IS THE MAIN REASON.

    Lord Wolfstein Sunday, 04 March 2018 09:54 AM

    A request for tax evasion. Subsidy through the back door

    Labby Sunday, 04 March 2018 10:01 AM

    Also their drivers and conductors have it in their brain

    Gajaman Sunday, 04 March 2018 10:11 AM

    Bus transportation needs a rethink.CNG seems far better than what the union is suggesting. These guys are used to placing undue demands at pressing times. They need to be given a serious thought.So far it is very unsuccessful to 1st the people

    John Sunday, 04 March 2018 10:56 AM

    This is outrageous. Kerosene is a major health hazard and needs to be banned outright in this country much less used in buses (??!!?). In fact its time to get rid of the private bus system conpletely. Public transportation is a public good and private companies cannot provide this service because it will not be profitable by design. This is what we pay taxes for to get an efficient, health friendly affordable public bus system.

    Aslam Sunday, 04 March 2018 11:17 AM

    Chooo korala hari duwapang .. cant increase the fare..


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