Minister promises action against errant filling stations

By Chaminda Silva

One hundred and twenty one fuel filling stations had not ordered supplies from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) between 27 and 31 May and that had led to long queues to obtain fuel in many areas last week, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told The Island.

The CPC was also reviewing data of fuel orders placed and stocks maintained of all fuel stations in the past week, he said.

The Minister said that many other fuel stations had not placed orders to maintain minimum stocks, as well.

According to the Minister fuel stations that have agreements with the CPC are required to maintain a minimum stock of 50 percent at any given time.

“Licences of fuel stations that have violated the conditions of their contracts will be terminated after review,” he said.

Minister Wijesekera said CPC and Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) had distributed fuel countrywide over the weekend and there were sufficient fuel stocks available in all fuel stations by Sunday.