Payment to be made today to bring down petrol shipment between July 13 and 15: Minister

Advance payment would be made today to freight  petrol between 13,14 and 15, earlier than the scheduled shipment by July 22, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

He told Parliament that proposals were called from suppliers to bring down a petrol shipment between July 10 and 15, however, only one supplier has offered bids but it was at a higher price.

"Malaysian Oil Company 'Petronas" said they will supply petrol between July 10 and 15. But, they could not confirm the date. There is another supplier who has offered to supply petrol between July 13 and 15. But, we will have to pay higher prices for that. We can bring it down if you all agree to it. Unless we purchase this shipment, we will have to wait till July 23," he said.

The Minister said some factions had objected to purchasing petrol at higher prices and misleading the people that it was done to get commissions and added that the decision was taken at a technical committee with the Cabinet approval. "The President and the Prime Minister also instrcuted me to go ahead and buy this shipment of petrol which will be due between July 13 and 15 without waiting till July 22. We will make the advance payment of US$ 26 million for that shipment," he said.

He said this in response to a question raised by NPP MP Vijitha Herath at the Prime Minister. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)