Man gets 21-day jail term for keeping four litres of petrol

By Upali Ananda - Anuradhapura

A 48-year-old man from Kobeigane has been sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,500 after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing four litres of petrol, despite claiming it was intended for domestic use.  The sentence was delivered by Nikaweratiya Magistrate, Chandana Liyanage, after the suspect, identified as B. M. Lasantha Kumara Balasuriya, admitted to the charge when produced before court by the Kobeigane Police. Police told court that the suspect had been arrested while in possession of four litres of petrol at a time when fuel storage has been restricted. He was charged under the Petroleum Products (Regulation and Control of Supplies) Act No. 34 of 1979. 

Appearing for the defence, Attorney-at-Law Udayanga Atapattu submitted that the petrol had been kept solely for use in a grass-cutting machine to clean the premises ahead of a Mathaka Wasthra Pooja scheduled for the 29th in memory of the suspect’s parents. He emphasized that the fuel was not intended for sale or illegal trade, and produced a letter from the chief incumbent of the local temple confirming the planned religious event.  

Counsel further argued that under the relevant law, a registered vehicle owner with valid documentation qualifies as a “petrol consumer” and is permitted to possess petrol. However, he pointed out that the law does not specify a permissible quantity, raising questions about the legality of prosecuting his client for possessing such a small amount.  

The case for the prosecution was presented by officers of the Kobeigane Police under the instructions of the Officer-in-Charge, while Attorney-at-Law Udayanga Atapattu appeared on behalf of the suspect.