CPC employees to continue refraining from refilling, distribution of fuel at Kolonnawa

28 March 2023 08:22 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) employees have decided to continue to halt refilling and distribution of fuel from the oil refinery installation at Kolonnawa from today against the government's move to privatize the CPC.

CPC General Employees Union President Ashoka Ranwala during a demonstration in front of the oil installation in Kolonnawa told the media yesterday that fuel distribution in the country had come to a standstill due to the ongoing trade union action.

He added that CPC employees had taken over the protest from the trade unions and had decided to refrain from engaging in duties from this morning.

"The fuel distribution had stopped from Kolonnawa, Muthurajawela terminals, Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery and from all fuel stock distribution centres from 1 p.m. yesterday. We are awaiting a discussion with the Minister or the President to resolve the issue," he stated.

Ranwala observed that there is a high probability of fuel queues emerging from today due to bowsers not being refuelled, and the government should take the responsibility for inconveniencing the public if such a situation arises.

He challenged Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera to privatize the CPC and asked the government not to underestimate employees collective strength while claiming that they have the power to stop the distribution process across the country.

CPC General Employees Union President said that they have decided to engage in a massive countrywide trade union action with the support of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), if the Minister or the President did not listen to the CPC employees.

Ranwala told that the minister should take immediate action to roll back the cabinet decision to sell the stakes owned by the government institutions to private companies, without provoking the employees to go for a massive trade union action.

He further stated that they would advise the minister on how to gain profit if the minister comes for a discussion with them. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 8

Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 28 March 2023 08:33 PM

These employees are taking the country for ransom, at a time IMF funds are rolling in Most of the employees are political goons, came through political influence, they have forgotten how JR dismissed all strikers.

Tilak Tuesday, 28 March 2023 08:50 PM

Privatise all these institutions and break the back of these arrogant trade unions which only think about their bargaining power. We must have more players in the industry like Lanka IOC so that we don't have to depend only on these states institutions.

Sandesh Tuesday, 28 March 2023 09:54 PM

With this attitude the government should privatise the whole thing, and not only in part as currently planned. Inefficiencies will eventually be eliminated and the consumer with benefit ultimately.

Use Army men to do the filling that CPC workers did Tuesday, 28 March 2023 09:56 PM

Use Army to do the work of the CPC workers. Most of the Army do nothing day to day, so start getting them into filing duty. They can serve the country while CPC can also not pay their employees. Consumers might get cheaper petrol by having Army do the filling instead of CPC workers. Ranil can declare that it is needs public order so must get Army to do filling, otherwise will more more queue.

Gota kicked out after fuel crisis last year Tuesday, 28 March 2023 10:28 PM

The CPC employees must start a new Aragalaya by continuing to refuse to do their paid jobs. Government will have to either guarantee them lifetime jobs even if it makes CPS private. And no point making CPC private if current employee lifetime has jobs. And if filling stations not getting fuel because Government will not cave in then new fuel crisis will happen. Last time that happen Gota got kicked out.

Tom Wednesday, 29 March 2023 04:02 AM

Hope the the unions would understand that the tide is against them before it is too late.

Jg Wednesday, 29 March 2023 04:10 AM

This arm twisting

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 29 March 2023 06:34 AM

JVP trying to create another era of fuel shortage and ques to start another uprising by Aragalaya. if

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CPC employees to continue refraining from refilling, distribution of fuel at Kolonnawa

Comments - 8

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