March 01, Colombo (LNW): Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has assured that there was no fuel shortage the country and the dealers are ready to distribute petrol and diesel to service stations although motorist are rushing for panic buying due a strike of dealers making several demands

Fuel dealers from all companies in Sri Lanka including Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have placed 2,924 orders by Saturday, Charman D J Rajakaruna said after a group of dealers said they have halted fuel distribution in a protest over reducing margins.

By Saturday morning 1,696 orders had come from CPC dealers, 471 from Indian Oil Corporation network, 391 from Sinopec dealers and 366 from RM Park Shell dealers, he said.Rajakaruna said not all dealers were involved in the process.

Though orders are usually not taken after Saturday at 700 am, given that extra fuel was pumped by customers, orders would continue to be taken, he said.

Motorists started to queue up and pump fuel overnight after an association of CPC fuel dealers said they will not place orders after Friday due to a reduction in the dealer margin.

The dealers said they were providing fuel on credit for state agencies and hospitals for months at a time and they will also halt such activities.

Rajakaruna said the dealer margin rose to excessive levels in 2022 amid an economic crisis and when attempts were made to reduce the margin, dealers went to court and halted the process.

The court order has since expired, he said. The CPC came up with a new formula to give margins to dealers with higher margins for smaller petrol sheds, especially int the provinces who had less business volumes.

Newly set up dealers were also given higher margins for 5 years to help them recover capital costs, he said.However the CPC was prepared to meet dealers and discuss the issue further.Rajakaruna said the margin of 3 percent, had included taxes from 2022, but it was not so earlier

The Fuel Distributors’ Association said that existing fuel stocks at filling stations would last until Monday (3) morning, following the suspension of fuel ordering activities last night.

No new orders have been placed with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) since then for tomorrow’s fuel distribution. However, the association’s central committee has scheduled a discussion this evening and plans to gather at the Presidential Secretariat for a protest.

The decision follows the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) move to abolish the 3% discount currently offered to distributors and implement a new payment formula, effective tomorrow, the association said.

The association also announced that fuel ordering will cease from midnight yesterday (28). While distribution of existing reserves will continue, no new orders will be placed, leading to a complete fuel shortage at filling stations by Monday (March 3).

 Additionally, the association has decided to halt post-payment fuel supplies to government institutions. Previously, entities like police departments and hospitals were allowed to settle bills after one or two months, but as of yesterday, no fuel will be supplied on credit.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): In an effort to reduce public spending and enhance financial transparency, an auction was held on Friday (28), for 14 luxury vehicles, six decommissioned vehicles, and various spare parts, a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD) disclosed.

The decision to auction these assets is part of a broader initiative to optimise government resources and ensure more responsible financial management within state institutions.

A total of 15 vehicles were auctioned, including nine Defender Jeeps, a Volvo Jeep, a Chrysler, a Mahindra Bolero, a Rosa bus, a Land Rover Discovery, and a Toyota car.

The vehicles in question were not part of the Presidential Secretariat’s permanent fleet but were instead assigned to advisors and other personnel appointed by the former President under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during his time in office.

The PMD clarified that the vehicles were primarily used by temporary appointees to the President’s Office, not by permanent staff.

The auction drew considerable interest, with approximately 199 business representatives placing bids. Submissions for the auction closed at 12:00 p.m., and the bidding process continued until 8:00 p.m.

Due to the high demand for the vehicles, it is expected that the remaining vehicles will be auctioned in the near future, with further details to be announced shortly.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): The Matara Magistrate’s Court has issued a travel ban on former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshabandu Tennakoon, at the request of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The decision follows a series of developments connected to the investigation into a shooting incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, in front of the W15 Hotel in Weligama, Matara.

The CID’s request for the travel restriction comes after it was revealed that, despite conducting searches at Tennakoon’s residences in Hokandara and Giriulla, investigators were unable to locate him.

As a result, the court imposed the ban to ensure Tennakoon’s availability for ongoing legal proceedings.

Earlier, on February 27, the Matara Magistrate’s Court had ordered the arrest of eight individuals, including former officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), as well as the former IGP, Tennakoon.

These individuals are to be named as suspects in the case, which centres around the shooting incident in Weligama that left one police officer dead and others injured.

Police spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manatunga explained that the incident began when a team of CCD officers, acting under orders to arrest associates of notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremaratne (alias ‘Harak Kata’), were confronted by gunfire while inside the W15 Hotel in Weligama.

The officers, who were in civilian clothing, were reportedly attacked from within the hotel, prompting them to return fire in self-defence.

However, confusion ensued when a mobile patrol vehicle from the Weligama Police Station arrived at the scene and, mistaking the van carrying the CCD officers for a criminal vehicle, opened fire on them.

As a result, two CCD officers sustained injuries, one of whom, 47-year-old Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara, later died in hospital from gunshot wounds.

An inquest into the shooting was conducted by the Matara Chief Magistrate’s Court, and on Thursday, February 27, the court instructed the CID to arrest and present the eight suspects, including Tennakoon, before the court.

The investigation has brought attention to the unlawful deployment of the CCD officers in the Weligama area, which led to the deadly altercation.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): During a recent meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, a key decision was made regarding the formation of seven Sectoral Oversight Committees in the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The committees will be tasked with overseeing the work of all ministries, and their creation marks a significant step in strengthening parliamentary accountability and governance.

Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, the Secretary-General of Parliament, confirmed that a consensus had been reached during the meeting, which took place on February 27.

Under the agreement, the opposition will hold the chairmanship of three committees, while the remaining four will be allocated to the government.

The decision to establish these oversight bodies was made in response to recommendations from a dedicated committee that had reviewed the effectiveness and operations of such committees in previous parliamentary sessions.

In addition to the formation of the Sectoral Oversight Committees, the Committee on Parliamentary Business also approved the creation of a new Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities.

This initiative follows a request put forward by Members of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Dr. Pathmanathan Sathyalingam, and it aims to address the needs and concerns of people with disabilities in Sri Lanka.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NXT Conclave.

Following the meeting, Modi shared a message on social media platform X, expressing his admiration for Wickremesinghe.

“I have always looked forward to our interactions and have admired his perspective on various issues,” Modi wrote, adding, “At the NXT Conclave, met my friend Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe.”

At the NXT Conclave, met my friend Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. I have always looked forward to our interactions and have admired his perspective on various issues. @RW_SRILANKA pic.twitter.com/blBNKMaDM4

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2025

March 01, Colombo (LNW): The Fuel Distributors’ Association of Sri Lanka has issued a stark warning that the country could face a severe fuel shortage by Monday (03), as members of the association have decided to halt all new fuel orders starting from today (01).

Speaking at a briefing, Kusum Sandanayake, the association’s vice president, explained that the remaining fuel stocks at stations nationwide are based on orders placed by 8.00 a.m. on Friday (28).

With no new orders being placed as of today, he stressed that fuel supplies would rapidly dwindle, leaving stations unable to meet demand by Monday.

Sandanayake further noted that the Fuel Distributors’ Association, which has never previously resorted to strike action, had been forced into this drastic measure due to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CEYPETCO) decision to eliminate the 3 per cent commission traditionally given to distributors, replacing it with a new, less favourable formula.

He argued that this change left distributors with no other recourse but to cease their operations.

The CEYPETCO’s decision to scrap the commission and introduce the new pricing structure has been met with strong opposition from fuel distributors, who claim it is a move that undermines their ability to operate sustainably.

Sandanayake placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the CEYPETCO chairman and managing director, accusing them of making arbitrary and damaging decisions that had disrupted the fuel distribution system.

Following the announcement of the decision to cease fuel orders, panic buying has swept the country, leading to long queues at petrol stations. The Fuel Distributors’ Association is urging the government to intervene and find an urgent resolution to avoid the fuel crisis escalating further.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): An audit report presented at a Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) session has uncovered disturbing evidence of illegal transactions involving parking spaces designated for Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) members.

The findings, which were discussed under the chairmanship of MP Aravinda Senaratne, revealed that parking slots initially allocated for CMC members’ vehicles had been unlawfully sold to private individuals and entities, raising concerns about mismanagement and corruption within the CMC.

The audit brought to light that land meant to serve as parking for municipal council members had been diverted for private use, with no proper authorisation or oversight.

This discovery has raised serious questions about the internal controls within the CMC and the lack of accountability in managing municipal assets.

Further investigation into the financial aspects of the CMC’s parking revenue revealed that contractors tasked with overseeing parking operations had accumulated a staggering Rs. 580 million in unpaid arrears to the council.

Despite the significant amount owed, municipal authorities assured that efforts were underway to recover the overdue payments.

Furthermore, they announced that contractors with outstanding debts would be barred from participating in future tenders for municipal contracts.

In light of these revelations, COPA has ordered an immediate investigation into the individuals involved in the illicit sale of parking spaces.

The committee has also instructed officials to explore legal avenues to reclaim the municipal property that has been unlawfully transferred, ensuring that proper procedures are followed in the future.

March 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has unveiled a new formula for fuel distributors that is set to offer greater benefits compared to the previous 3 per cent discount, according to CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna.

This move comes as the CEYPETCO recently decided to discontinue the existing 3 per cent discount and replace it with a new structure designed to better support fuel distributors.

However, the announcement has sparked a strong reaction from the Fuel Distributors’ Association, which declared that it would halt fuel orders starting from March 01 in protest of the decision.

The association’s members have voiced concerns that the changes, though aimed at increasing benefits, could create undue financial strain on distributors.

Despite the protest, the CEYPETCO has sought to reassure the public that there will be no immediate risk of a fuel shortage in the country. Chairman Rajakaruna explained that under the new formula, fuel distributors will actually receive higher benefits.

He provided an example, stating that for the first 15 deliveries, distributors will now be paid Rs. 6.96 per load, and for the next 15, they will receive Rs. 6.62.

For those handling larger volumes, such as 25 loads, the new system would result in a payment of Rs. 6.69 per load, bringing their earnings to over Rs. 1.1 million, significantly more than the previous arrangements.

Rajakaruna acknowledged that distributors had expressed concerns about their earnings, particularly those handling smaller volumes, but stressed that the new formula was designed to address these concerns whilst also maintaining a sustainable model for the CEYPETCO.

In response to rising concerns about fuel availability, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, reassured the nation that there is no actual fuel shortage in the country.

Speaking in Parliament on March 01, Prof. Fernando addressed the recent long queues at petrol stations, emphasising that these were not a sign of dwindling fuel reserves but rather the result of an orchestrated effort to create panic.

He accused a coordinated group of attempting to fabricate a fuel crisis by stirring unnecessary fears amongst the public. The minister’s statement aims to quell any anxiety surrounding fuel availability, urging citizens to remain calm and refrain from unnecessary panic buying.