The trade union action initiated by the Ceylon Petroleum Private Tank Owners is now in operation.
Owners of Ceylon Petroleum private tankers have joined the union action against the non-increase in transport prices relative to the increase in fuel prices.
Meanwhile, Shelton Fernando, President of the All Ceylon Filling Station Owners’ Association said that the filling stations have been closed due to lack of fuel.
Also, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that a special program is being implemented regarding the distribution of fuel.
The Minister said that the railways will further expand the current 40% fuel transport.
The Minister also said that the Railway Department has decided to revise the required fares and transport all the fuel required for the depot by train.
Meanwhile, it has been decided to deploy a 24-hour staff to issue licenses at the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals for new vehicles that have not yet been registered and to reduce the licensing period.
The Minister said that steps would be taken to issue new licenses within a week by carrying out the necessary process.
Mr. Wijesekera said that it had been decided to set aside separate petrol distribution terminals for bowsers owned by petrol stations and to give them priority trips to other petrol stations.
The Minister said that it has been decided to revoke the licenses of the vehicles which do not report for duty within the next two days and to revoke the licenses of the persons who obstruct the vehicles coming into the service and to take legal action against them.
Under the new decisions, the government will increase the number of bowsers and make necessary adjustments to the incoming private vehicles under a fixed price formula and provide them with the necessary protection.
Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Power and Energy stated that it has been decided to operate the terminals 24 hours a day to transport the required fuel.