Minister of Energy and Power Kanchana Wijesekera reveals he has received information that certain private fuel bowser drivers have been obstructing duties of other drivers who are engaged in fuel distribution despite the ongoing strike.
Taking to Twitter, Minister Wijesekera said all operations required for fuel distribution through Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited are underway.
The Minister said railway services, state-owned bowsers, and bowsers belonging to certain other distributors are being utilised.
Update – Operations underway at CPSTL terminals n depots to distribute fuel. Trains, Govt owned and dealer owned tankers are been utilized for transposition. Certain private hired tanker members who are on strike are seen obstructing tankers that have commenced deliveries.
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) May 2, 2022
Earlier today, fuel bowser operators of the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation said they are joining the strike of the private fuel bowser owners that commenced on Saturday.
The Sri Lanka Private Fuel Bowser Owners Association withdrew from operations as of Saturday against the failure to increase transportation costs in comparison to the increase in fuel prices.
Discussions with the subject Minister pertaining to a 60 percent increase in fares demanded by private fuel bowser owners ended in a stalemate.
The Association said the decisions taken by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera were lacking in practicality.
Speaking to NewsRadio, Secretary of the Union, DV Shantha Silva said the Minister’s claims pertaining to fuel distribution by train were made by previous Ministers as well adding however distributing fuel by rail was impractical as trains are primarily used for public transport.
