In response to the ongoing strike by several trade union leaders and workers against the privatization of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the CPC has taken action by sending disruptive trade union leaders and workers on compulsory leave starting today. The CPC has also implemented an entry ban on these individuals at both the CPC and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL).
The CPC has assured the public that all other employees will be allowed to enter the premises and continue with the fuel distribution process. In the meantime, the Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, has urged the public not to panic over fuel shortages, while the Police and armed forces have been deployed to assist with the fuel distribution.
Furthermore, Minister Wijesekera announced that fuel distribution has commenced at the Kollonawa and Muthurajawela terminals since 6 am today, and there are sufficient stocks of fuel available.
