• Move will liberalise energy industry 

Amidst heavy criticism and opposition, the second reading of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) (Amendment) was passed in Parliament by a majority, yesterday.

The move will help to eliminate the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s monopoly on jet fuel and liberalise the energy sector.

A total of 77 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the Bill, whilst 17 MPs voted against.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the passing of the Bill will allow global suppliers to enter as retail operators.

He also thanked the President, Government Parliamentarians and all stakeholders who supported the passing of the Amendment Bill.

Separately, the CPC trade unions claimed the move has now paved way to privatise State-run enterprise the jet fuel operations — only foreign exchange earnings and profit-making arm of the organisation.

“From July onwards, CPC has made profits as a result of the price revisions introduced. The objective of this Bill was to bring down the monopoly CPC had and privatise it,” Public Progressive Employees Union President Bandula Saman Kumara charged at a protest near Parliament along with hundreds of CPC union members.

However, data showed that CPC’s losses have surpassed over Rs. 600 billion so far due to subsidies given in the past and overdue from other State enterprises like Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Minister Wijesekera, responding to the warnings of trade unions, said petroleum services had been declared as an essential service for the past six months. “If any employee or trade union is found breaching the essential services regulations and disrupting services, immediate legal and disciplinary action will be taken against them,” he stressed.  

 

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