Overtime payment to refinery workers; Minister to present detailed report in Parliament

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Admitting that Rs. 400 million has been paid as overtime to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said yesterday he would present a detailed report in Parliament on the payments.  

The Minister said this responding to a question raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella that Rs. 400 million had been paid to workers of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery though it was closed down recently.  
He said around Rs. 2500 to 3000 million had been paid as overtime in the past and that it had been managed to Rs. 400 million during the last few months.  

The Minister said refinery had not been closed down during March, April and May and that it was closed only during last month.  

“The refinery was operational. It was only closed last month. Fuel was continuously distributed for essential services for all seven days a week. I inquired from CPC and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) about overtime payments after it was revealed by media. The accountant informed me that overtime has been paid for overtime work during Saturdays and Sundays,” he said and added that however, he would present a detailed report in Parliament as to how and who had received the overtime payments.