CPC’s Jaliya resigns, Asantha takes over

By Malik Gunatilleke

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman, Jaliya Medagama along with two Additional Directors resigned from their respective posts of the CPC with immediate effect.

Mr. Medagama, who is currently in the UK, told The Sunday Times that he resigned from his post for personal reasons and had not yet decided whether to return to Sri Lanka.

“There was absolutely no pressure from the government on this issue. My resignation was completely on personal grounds,” he said.

Petroleum Minister, A.H.M. Fowzie told The Sunday Times that he had appointed Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd. (CPSTL) Chairman Ashantha De Mel to fill Medagama’s post as CPC Chairman.
“Mr. Medagama resigned due to personal reasons but the government was also looking to give the post to a more youthful person,” Minister Fowzie said.

Asantha De Mel was at the centre of controversy in July when he assumed the post CPSTL Chairman, which was strongly opposed by the CPC Trade Unionists, but the Petroleum Public Services Association (PPSA) says that they hoped to work together peacefully with De Mel in the future.

“Our opposition towards De Mel’s appointment as CPSTL Chairman was purely a policy issue,” said A.L. Ananda of the PPSA. “We have nothing against him personally. So we are looking forward to carrying on our Union activities peacefully, with him in charge”.

Mr. Ananda also added that Mr. Medagama was an exceptional leader who rendered great service to the company and his absence would be greatly felt.

DGM Supplies, R. Wickramasinghe and DGM Internal Affairs S. Sudualla of the CPC, have also resigned along with Mr. Medagama.