Fuel shortage likely after New year: Bowser Owners’ Assn.

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association (CPPBOA) today warned that there would be a fuel distribution shortage in the country after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

A senior official of the Association told the Daily Mirror that they did not receive the fuel transport fees for this year until now.

"We had worked continuously on fuel distribution but did not receive the payments yet even to celebrate the new year. Therefore, we have to face many difficulties," he said.

"Previous years we received our payments relevant to the year by April 7 or 8, but for this year still we did not receive the payments. The New Year festival will start tomorrow. Most of the drivers will visit their hometowns today," the official said.

Still, no measures have been taken to make the payments to the Private Bowser Owners, he said.

This situation will lead to a serious crisis in the payment of salaries and festival gratuities to employees. The official said a lesser number of employees will report to duty following the New Year and this will lead to a delay in fuel distribution.

Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) and the Petroleum Minister had advised in this regard and the main responsibility should be taken by the CPSTL Chairman if any inconvenience is caused to the consumers, the official said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)