Petroleum trade unions prepared to strike over oil tank deal

COLOMBO News (1st) - The government is once again planning to hand over the oil tanks to the Indian Oil Company, revealed the Ceylon Petroleum Trade Union Collective. The following ideas were expressed at a media briefing held on Sunday (October 14). President of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, Bandula Saman Kumara stated that the Prime Minister and the subject Minister gave the country false promises. He continued to say that UNP first handed over the oil tank farm in 2003 to India on illegal grounds and he questioned the government, on what basis they have made decisions to give away the complex to IOC. Kumara added that the petroleum trade unions are prepared to carry out a massive struggle if they try to make any decision regarding the cabinet memo. Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Petroleum Workers' Union, D.J Rajakaruna stated that a loss of Rs. 1500 million has already been incurred because this complex was given away to India and that yet the government says that all 14 tanks of the lower Tank Farm should be given to the IOC. Rajakaruna said that according to the cabinet decision the other tanks will be given over to a joint venture between the IOC and the CPC. "These resources belong to us. We gave it away and we are requesting them for permission to use it. This will affect each petrol liter. Every month the price of it will get increased" added Rajakaruna. Meanwhile, sales agents of Lanka IOC complain that due to the fuel price formula, their sales have been affected. They request that the price regulation be handed over the Consumer Affairs authority and that the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance look into the matter. Meanwhile, convening a media briefing UPFA MP and former Minister of petroleum resource development, Chandima Weerakkody stated that if he was still the subject Minister that he would have never allowed the IOC to increase prices as they wish. He continued to say that if that is the case, a Minister of petroleum resource development being in office is pointless. Weerakody added that he had also produced a cabinet paper that if taxes are imposed that it should be the same for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the IOC, the Colombo Harbor, the Trincomalee Harbor, and the Hambantota harbor.