Trade unions at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have withdrawn from fuel distribution with immediate effect.
The unions earlier in the day called off their Sathyagraha campaign and announced the strike action.
But, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said that fuel distribution will continue uninterrupted.
Minister Wijesekara said that he has instructed CPC and CPSTL to initiate disciplinary action and consider termination of employment and any legal steps necessary against trade union activist or employees disrupting fuel distribution.
The Unions are protesting about privatizing CPC fuel station as announced by the Government.
The President's Media Division last night said the CPC and the Governemnt has assured that there would be no fuel shortage and appealed to the public not to panic.
Minister Wijesekara in a twitter message said : "Request the public not to panic over shortages in fuel supply. There’s adequate stocks of fuel in the country & distribution will continue. Fuel distribution that was earlier delayed due to trade union activist forcibly preventing employees from attending to their duties have been normalized with police and armed forces providing necessary security at the terminals & distribution."
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Read this week’s Sunday Times for your interesting articles including the ’’5th Column’’.
In its first electoral test since taking power, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) fell short of expectations, winning only around 40 % of the national vote in Tuesday’s local government election and falling short of enough seats to gain control of the majority of councils.
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