- Discharge of cargo begins.
- Local agents Colombo Logistics Group owned by Mr Eric Ambalangodage.
- 12 Fuel stations to start immediately and go upto 150 as planned.
Colombo (LNW): Sinopec has commenced discharging their first cargo from Mt. SI CHOU ZHI LU, petrol and Diesel 4950MT. The second cargo will be discharged tomorrow according to news.
Reliable sources state that Colombo Logistics owned by veteran businessman Mr Eric Ambalangodage is the local agent and logistics partner of Sinopec.
The fuel station dealers will sign the agreements with sinopec shortly after which they will operate 150 stations islandwide as planned; However initially they will operate 12 stations according to reliable sources.
Industry sources further state that this is a big victory for the country as the consumer is expected to largely benefit from the creation of competition amongst the many operators. LIOC is already an operator in the country for many years and have helped create that competition.
Looking back at history, in 1958 the then prime minister of Sri Lanka
Mr Bandaranayaka nationalised the companies that were operating in the country overnight and formed Ceylon petroleum corporation (CPC). The companies that were nationalised were Mobil , shell , standard oil , caltex , Castrol and Esso. It is said that Singapore’s then prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, welcomed these operators with open arms. Now they operate in singapore with full fledged refineries supplying to the region and all of the ASEAN countries.
While reminiscing on another missed opportunity ,one can only imagine had these companies been present in Sri Lanka, how that competition would have assisted the country. The Sri Lankan consumer would have benefited by a far better service and price. What is certain is, had these companies been there last year, we would not have had a fuel crisis .
Let us learn from history and give credit where credit is due.
