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All CPC unions oppose plan to allow private sector to import, refine and distribute fuel
All Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade unions, including pro-government unions, have called on Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila to withdraw plans to permit the private sector to import, refine and distribute fuel.
Eight trade union leaders signed a letter which was handed over to the minister on Friday. The unions included the pro-government Progressive Workers’ Union of Commerce and Industry, the United National Party (UNP)-affiliated Jathika Sewaka Sangamaya (JSS), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-affiliated Petroleum Common Workers’ Union and the Executive Officers Union.
Last week the Sunday Times reported that the Government had decided to amend the CPC Act to empower the Minister to issue licences to any suitable party for the import, refining, marketing, supplying, producing, mixing and distributing of petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, furnace oil and alternative fuels. Minister Gammanpila , however, claimed at a news conference that the government had no plans to privatise the CPC but was ready to call for international tenders for building a new refinery which could handle100,000 barrels a day.
Nevertheless, since it is only the CPC which has the authority for refining in terms of the CPC Act No. 28 of 1961, the Minister had said during the discussion with the unions, that to build a new refinery, the CPC Act needed to be amended.
When the trade union leaders objected, the minister had told them to discuss further the Government’s proposal and send their proposals to him within the next two weeks.