By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct a probe into the parties accused of disrupting the process of distributing fuel from the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited in Kolonnawa four days ago (28).
Among the group recognised as ‘saboteurs’ are trade union representatives, employees expecting nominations to contest the Local Government Election, and retired petroleum workers, a letter sent by the Minister to the IGP said.
A group engaged in a fast in front of the CPC Terminal premises forced their way in to the safe zone where fuel distribution was taking place and chased away the employees, whilst the fuel tankers that arrived to collect their consignment of fuel were also turned back, the letter added, urging the IGP that a probe, therefore, must be carried out via the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Wijesekara accused that the group had attempted to damage the fuel distribution pipes and the automates system in order to disrupt the fuel distribution process, reminding that these services have been declared essential by the government. As a result of the act, the fuel distribution process was disrupted stemming the formation of fuel queues, he added.
The Minister further noted that legal measures are being taken to recover the losses from the individuals whom he described as saboteurs.
