LIOC forced dealers to increase sales of premium brands: Petroleum Dealers Association

The Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) is forcing several local petroleum dealers to sell their XtraMile Diesel and XtraPremium Petrol up to 15 and 20 per cent more than their normal Petrol and Diesel stocks, the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) claimed.

An official of the Association told the Daily Mirror that the local petroleum dealers are frustrated with the force of the LIOC.

The official said the local Petroleum dealers were forced to sell the XtraMile Diesel and XtraPremium Petrol products rather than the normal Petrol and Diesel products if they wanted to get the normal Petrol or Diesel stocks.

"Several petroleum associations, local dealers, LIOC dealer union and LIOC officials held a discussion in this regard with the Petroleum Minister two months back and agreed to sell 10 percent of XtraMile Diesel and XtraPremium Petrol stocks in the local market, but the Minister mentioned that it was not compulsory," the Dealers Association said.

However, the LIOC has reportedly forced several local petroleum dealers to sell their XtraMile Diesel and XtraPremium Petrol stocks by up to 15 and 20 per cent. Due to that, the local Petroleum dealers used to sell the XtraMile Diesel and XtraPremium Petrol stocks at a loss to cover their expenses and to pay their employee salaries.

Therefore, the association requests the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to look into the matter and to provide justice for the local petroleum dealers. (Chaturanga Samarawickrema)