Fuel rationed to prevent hoarding – CPC

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday instructed filling station owners to limit issuing kerosene to five litres per customer.

It said that fishers who needed more than five litres should present a letter from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the gas station attendants.

“The CPC provides kerosene at concessionary rates to selected groups of people because we understand that they depend on kerosene. However, kerosene is also used by various industries, businesses and buses too. These are not categories that the concessions are meant for. Issuing subsidised kerosene to industries, businesses and buses is a serious problem and gas stations must be vigilant,” the Corporation said.

CPC said that diesel and petrol would again not be issued into cans. The CPC said that various groups are again collecting and storing large quantities of fuel and it had caused great inconveniences to the people.

“Thus, issuing fuel to cans is prohibited from immediate effect. Those who are engaged in essential services, industries and agriculture can provide gas station attendants with permission letters granted by district or divisional secretariats. These identified individuals or companies can obtain fuel to canisters,” the CPC said.

The CPC warned that if any gas station violated those instructions, their dealerships would be cancelled.

Earlier the CPC imposed fuel restrictions based on vehicle categories. Thus, Motorcycles can obtain fuel worth Rs. 2,000, three-wheelers can obtain fuel worth Rs. 3,000, and Cars, Vans, Jeeps can obtain fuel worth Rs. 8,000.