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Contaminated LIOC diesel suspended
View(s):Further checks underway
The distribution of some 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel imported by the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has been stopped after it was found to be sub-standard, a senior official said yesterday.
The diesel stock was unloaded a week ago and failed a standard check carried out by officials at the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) at Sapugaskanda, its Chairman M. R. de Soysa said.
He said that the company would not be allowed to distribute the stock until further checks were carried out and appropriate action taken against those responsible for importing it.
LIOC Managing Director Subodh Dakwale said this stock imported from Singapore was being re-tested. “We can assure that the stocks will not be released to the market until the tests are done and we are satisfied that the stocks meet the required specifications,” he said.
Last year the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation imported sub-standard petrol that entered the market and caused engine trouble to thousands of vehicles. Investigations on the sub-standard petrol have not yet been completed.
However former Petroleum Ministry Secretary Titus Jayawardena and former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Commercial Manager Uditha Doloswela have been indicted for importing a stock of low quality petrol in June 2011.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had charged them with the offence, on October 23 last year. They were accused of using their position to buy unfairly and illegally a stock of low quality petrol, thereby committing an act of corruption.
They are currently on bail.
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