Twenty (20) employees of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), including trade union leaders, have been sent on compulsory leave, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Wednesday (29).
Minister Wijesekera stated that the 20 CPC workers have been sent on compulsory leave for disrupting fuel distribution.
Earlier today, the CPC stated that it has decided to send trade union leaders and workers who disrupt the fuel distribution process on compulsory leave from today.
Issuing a statement, the CPC stated that it had also decided to prohibit such trade union leaders and workers from entering the CPC and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL).
The CPC further stated that all other employees will be allowed to enter the premises and continue with the fuel distribution process today.
The move comes after several CPC trade union leaders and members launched a strike on Monday against the privatization of the CPC, affecting the fuel distribution process.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday requested the public not to panic over fuel shortages, while the Police and armed forces have been deployed to assist with the fuel distribution.
Minister Wijesekera further announced today that the distribution of fuel commenced at the Kollonawa and Muthurajawela terminals at 06.00 am today, assuring there was adequate stocks of fuel. (NewsWire)
