Trade unions breathe fire at authorities for selling substandard fuel

Trade unions of railway, port and transport sectors in Sri Lanka have slammed the authorities for the sale of substandard fuel in the country.

General Secretary of the All Ceylon Railway Employees’ Common Services Union, Sumathipala Manawadu said that about 36 train engines have been affected and the oil filters of these trains have been completely destroyed due to the use of substandard fuel.

He assessed that each oil filter costs Rs. 30,000.

Manawadu added that there were only 2,600 tons of super diesel remaining in the country to be distributed to the transport sector.  Meanwhile, General Secretary of All Ceylon Transport Workers’ Union, Sepala Liyanage said that over 60 buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) were stalled due to the use of substandard fuel.

Liyanage noted that the losses due to the breakdowns would amount to around Rs. 70 million. In addition the SLTB has to incur a heavy expenditure to purchase super diesel.

The trade unions demanded that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) immediately intervene to provide a solution to the parties affected by the distribution of substandard fuel.

Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha has appointed a three-member committee to into the complaints of several vehicles developing mechanical failures after using substandard diesel.

Technical failures have been reported from the vehicles belonging to the Ports Authority, Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board and several other Government and private institutions.

The Minister has promised to take action against anyone found guilty of distributing the substandard diesel regardless of their status.