Investigations, based on scientific tests, have revealed that a chemical emulsifier had been mixed in the consignment of substandard petrol sold by a UAE supplier to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and later sold to consumers-- resulting in more than 2,000 cars being affected.
Moreover, fuel pumps at about 500 filling stations were also damaged, according to a probe by the 3-member committee headed by Power and Energy Ministry Secretary H.M.C. Ferdinando.
The investigations have revealed startling new evidence on laboratory test results and documentation of the deal but the committee is yet to come to a conclusion due to complex scientific aspects and complicated documents including misleading Cabinet papers, though the Petroleum Industries Ministry wants the report finalised by next week, the Sunday Times learns.
The consignment supplied by the Singapore unit of the UAE-based Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) involved 20,000 mt of 92 RON gasoline and 15,000 mt of 0.25% sulfur gas oil.
Top level CPC officials said laboratory tests on petrol samples taken from the oil cargo indicated the presence of a chemical emulsifier, along with a few metal particles and some percentage of water. Tests on random samples taken from filling stations affected by the contaminated fuel revealed similar details confirming the presence of an emulsifier, a chemical which is used to mix water with oil.
Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha told the Sunday Times disciplinary action would be taken against officials responsible for the petrol fiasco.
He said the CPC would make a claim from the foreign oil supplier based on the findings of the committee. He confirmed that ENOC officials had been in Sri Lanka to present their case before CPC Chairman Harry Jayawardane. However the Minister said that he was not in the island at that time and he could not say anything about their discussions.
The committee would consider their submissions as well, he said adding that he had asked the committee to submit the full investigation report by next week.
The committee will make its determination on the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CPSTL) laboratory test report
of a fuel sample taken from the oil cargo on June 16 at the unloading point in Colombo. This sample did not conform to CPC standards. It will also take into consideration the Independent inspectors’ report which rejected the stock of fuel at the port of loading.
According to a chemical expert, emulsifiers deposit carbon during combustion of motor vehicle engines blocking injectors and it affects the movement of pistons. If the injectors become clogged, the vehicle begins to run poorly. Contaminated fuel clogs not only injectors but fuel lines as well. A second committee chaired by the CPC Marketing Manager has entertained 1800 public complaints by motorists and filling station owners and compensation would be paid after they were studies.
Petroleum industry sources said Cabinet Appointed Tender Boards (CATB) should show transparency in their actions and not be manipulated by technical committees.
When asked about this issue, Minister Premajayantha said, “It is highly suspicious that we buy more than 70% of fuel from one company. When the tender board approves and selects a supplier this decision is not conveyed to the cabinet. This is not right. Now I have told them to inform the cabinet about all such decisions.” |
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