Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Permits to open new fuel stations in the island have been suspended until further notice, the Petroleum Industries Ministry said today.
Minister Susil Premjayantha said the issuing of permits would be put on hold till a market survey is conducted by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was completed.
“A preliminary study by the CPC has revealed that opening filling stations in a haphazard manner without considering the demand for fuel and the locality has impacted negatively on the CPC and the fuel stations,” the Minister said.
The CPC has 210 fuel stations and 700 dealers under its wings and the suspension was part of a complete overhaul of the system of pumping, refining, distributing and managing of the CPC.
The Minister said the government was having discussions with friendly oil producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Oman for direct purchases of oil instead of buying from the open market that required the payment of commissions to brokers.
“The discussions with Oman have been highly successful,” he added.
The suspension of permits for new fuel stations would not apply to the Indian Oil Company. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)
Comments - 8
Recommended
You May Also Like
