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CPC to receive only three fuel shipments this month

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation ( CPC) will receive only three shipments during this month forcing the government to maintain a tight control of fuel distribution with focus on providing supplies for essential services, a senior official said.

A diesel consignment of 40,000MT due between July 11 and15, a crude oil shipment of 35,000MT due between July 14 and15 and a Petrol 92 shipment of 35,300MT scheduled between July 22 and 23 were the only confirmed shipments, the official said.

He said as a result the government would continue to issue restricted fuel similar to that currently issued by the Lanka IOC and continue to provide supplies for essential services. Currently the IOC was issuing petrol for Rs 7,000 for cars/ vans, Rs 2,500 for three- wheelers and Rs 1,500 for motorcycles.

However, the LIOC is expecting three shipments of petrol and diesel amounting to 90,000MT until August 15. The first of the shipments is due between

July 13 and 15, the second between July 29 and 31 and another shipment on August 15.

A Power and Energy Ministry official said attempts by the government to secure fuel supplies through unsolicited proposals too had failed with three such suppliers failing to keep to their commitments in the recent weeks despite opening of Letters of Credit.

“We have been forced to revert to our regular suppliers, but the issues over the outstanding payments need to be resolved. The Central Bank is making arrangements to make partial settlements enabling us to resume supplies,” he said.

The official said another proposal was to invite companies from foreign countries to operate the fuel stations with fuel imported by the respective companies themselves, but so far none of the companies had come forward to accept the proposal.

The moves have also been resisted by CPC trade unions.

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2022-07-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/281552294555397

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