INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchan Wijesekera today announced that several new guidelines have been implemented for the transportation of
fuel in the country.In a twitter message, the minister said that a decision has been taken to increase the capacity of fuel transportation
via train to rural depots from 40% to 100%.Meanwhile it has also been decided to expedite the license issuing process for fuel distribution
bowsers of fuel station owners.A decision has been taken to cancel the operating license of transporters who fail to report to duty in the
next two days and to take legal action and cancel the license of individuals who prevent others from reporting to duty.It has also been
decided to increase the capacity and the number of government-owned fuel bowsers to operate daily and to conduct 24-hour operations to
Muthurajawela terminal had come to a complete halt today with some tanker owners even deciding to detach and leave behind their bowser
charges in line with the unusually high fuel prices as well as the increase in spare parts prices by around 300%.However, taking to twitter
last night, the Energy Minister said alternative methods are in place to continue the fuel distribution without interruption if private
bowser owners withdraw from services.The minister added that the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) has been instructed to
open registration immediately for new suppliers to transport fuel and to cancel the registration of those who fail to report for
duty.Trains, government-owned, fuel station-owned and privately-hired bowsers that are not on strike will continue the fuel distribution
Shantha Silva said he believes that the minister has been misled by the officials as it takes at least 06 months to obtain a license and put
fuel bowsers into operation.However, in another tweet issued today the minister announced the following new guidelines for fuel
collection bowsers.(d) Cancel operating license of transporters who fail to report to duty in the next 2 days and to take legal action and
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
