SJB claims Lanka lost $ 24-30 m on recent 80,000 metric ton consignment of crude oil

SJB Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar called on the Government to take steps to stop large-scale frauds taking place in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Speaking in Parliament, Marikkar asked the Government to reveal the names of those benefitting from the deals relating to the procurement of fuel. “They are stealing in the guise of managing the crisis,” Marikkar said.

“The supplier called Coral bid claiming it would bring Brent Crude Oil. However, what they have brought in is the type called Siberian – Augustus oil. At the time the price per barrel in the international market was $ 74-76. But since they quoted for Brent, they were paid $ 103 per barrel and a premium of $ 8.25. The loss from the entire 80 000 ton between $ 24-30 million,” he said. “Who took this amount?” he asked.

Marikkar also said the Government is now preparing to grant an unsolicited tender to the same company for the supply of refined oil. “This is the new way of stealing public funds,” he said.

According to the MP, the Government is only able to import the current stocks of fuel as it has stopped its debt repayments. “We are bringing in fuel from the remaining dollars as we have stopped debt repayments. However, at least $ 8.4 million is now being stolen from the remaining dollar reserves,” he said. He also said that despite President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s claims to improve international relations to bring in support for Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe has failed to even provide the basic necessities of the people.