Deputy Minister blames Opposition for fuel crisis

3 March 2025 03:32 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, March 03 (Daily Mirror) - Coming up with a number of disclosures in Parliament, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra today alleged that the Opposition is behind the fuel distribution crisis that is prevailing at the moment.

“We were wondering why the Opposition is concerned about the fuel distribution crisis and are sympathetic towards the fuel distributors. We found out that a number of Opposition politicians have associated with a major distributor in the country.

“We also found out that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the personal security officer of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the sister of former Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and friends of SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Gayantha Karunathileka have been associated with High Tech Carbon Pvt. Ltd. which owns filling stations,” the Deputy Minister said.

Also, the Deputy Minister said an audit query has revealed that an over payment of Rs. 4,349.93 to the fuel distributors in August 2022.

“There have been two court orders on this issue and the CPC has failed to recover this cost from the distributors. This is the real background of the fuel distribution crisis,” he said.

Further the Deputy Minister accused a few trade union leaders attached to the CPC for claiming overtime illegally.

“Trade union leaders have the right to get themselves released from work. However, what has taken place here is that these leders have claimed overtime illegally. A union leader by the name of Wijegunawardene has claimed Rs. 8.5 million for 13,120 overtime hours, a leader named Nihal has claimed more than Rs 2,000,000 for 2,192 overtime hours, Paragune has claimed more than Rs. 200,000 while trade union leader Ananda Palitha has claimed Rs. 3.1 million for 6,581 overtime hours,” the Deputy Minister revealed.

Comments - 12

ronikailadasa Monday, 03 March 2025 03:55 PM

This is standard shit of the Marxists goverment. . When there was a shortage of rice the previous government was to blame similarly in the case of coconuts and salt. Now this one. Look in the mirror and see what has been done over the past 100days plus only blaming the previous regime and passing the buck. Come on Anura get down to work and deliver all what you said on platforms. Already your Govt admits the Mahendran cannot be brought down, did not your qualified Leftenants teach you the law or you taught you know the law. Enough of bluffing and flowery speeches what is required is action. The Govt is like NATO No action talk only.

48 14

Cassie Monday, 03 March 2025 03:58 PM

Take accountability so you can learn from your own mistakes and move the country forward.

31 15

ACA Monday, 03 March 2025 04:25 PM

Is opposition running the country or your government mr minister??

15 15

An NPP Supporter Monday, 03 March 2025 04:30 PM

You have an NPP President and 159 NPP MPs in the Parliament. You have been in power more than 5 months. Don't blame others for your lack of aptitude. Just resign and go.

17 15

Sokrates Monday, 03 March 2025 04:30 PM

Working overtime is a large-scale scam that involves all government organisations. For example, the CEB Nuwara Eliya always starts extensive maintenance work on the electricity grid on Thursday or Friday instead of at the beginning of the week. The work is then completed on Sunday evening so that overtime and weekend bonuses can be claimed for Saturday and Sunday. This overtime must be authorised by the respective chief engineer. Even if he does this under pressure from his workers, he must be held accountable. However, if trade union leaders who have been released from daily work demand payment for overtime, this is fraud and must be prosecuted.

3 11

එලෙස කෙළෙස?? Monday, 03 March 2025 04:37 PM

Hilarious! Who's governing the country?

10 12

RS Monday, 03 March 2025 05:05 PM

Certainly there are those who want to disrupt the efforts of the government.

14 11

Rip Winkle Monday, 03 March 2025 06:58 PM

Totally agree with you. Sincerely hope these corrupt trouble makers will face legal action soon.

11 22

Fanny Leech Monday, 03 March 2025 08:45 PM

The tenticles of the SLPP and UNP/SJB that's been sucking the country dry since Independence is not easy to cut off.

10 16

A Supporter of NPP Tuesday, 04 March 2025 05:35 AM

Dear Deputy Minister; You are in power not the opposition. Do the job properly or resign and go home.

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Jude Tuesday, 04 March 2025 08:14 AM

Hey Arun, creating crisis is opposition MPs number one job. They're not here to make your life comfortable. As opposition they want to create problems and crisis for the government. Good opposition will keep you guys guessing and active. Welcome to real politics!!!

0 1

Jude Tuesday, 04 March 2025 08:18 AM

Hey Arun, blaming on the rain, blaming on the stars, whatever you do, don't blaming it on you!! Blaming on the rain yay yay yay,!!!

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