The Government announced a price reduction of fuel prices with effect from midnight today while initiating action against trade unionists who have called for a strike.

Accordingly, the retail price of Petrol 92 will be reduced by Rs.60 per liter, Petrol 95 by Rs.135, Lanka Auto Diesel by Rs.80, Super Diesel by Rs.45 and kerosene by Rs.10 from midnight, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today(29).

Minister Wijesekara addressing a press briefing announced the price revision a short while ago. Accordingly, a litre of Petrol 92 will be reduced from Rs.400 to Rs.340, Petrol 95 from Rs.510 to 375, Auto Diesel from Rs.405 to Rs.325, Super Diesel from Rs. 510 to 465 and kerosene from Rs.305 to Rs.295.

He said President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance directed to implement the price revision at midnight.

Earlier the Minister said though adequate stocks are available in the country, some fuel stations have not placed orders anticipating the April 01 price revision.

He said fuel station operators have been told to place orders and maintain the minimum stocks required.

“The CPC will pay the loss incurred by fuel station operators who have placed orders today unaware of the fuel price revision,” Minister Wijesekara said.

He said 20 trade union leaders who took part in the strike and obstructed normal fuel distribution have been identified and sent on compulsory leave.

Protesting employees withdrew from refilling and distribution of fuel from the Kolonnawa oil refinery installation yesterday. On Monday they took part in a satyagraha.

“The government plans to take tough legal action against individuals who violated the essential services order. At present CCTV footage and statements from employees and managers are being obtained. A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) trade union leader who worked with us during elections is among the 20 persons who have been sent on compulsory leave,” the Minister said.

The management of the CPC has also decided to make the CPC and storage terminal premises a no-enter zone for employees sent on compulsory leave.

 “Though it was planned to dispatch 507 loads of 6600 litres Petrol 92 yesterday, only 438 were dispatched as a result of the strike. Similarly, only 333 diesel loads were released out of the planned 451 loads,” the Minister said.

The Police and armed forces have been deployed around the premises since last night to ensure the daily distribution of fuel.

He said fuel distribution commenced at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals at 6 a.m. this morning with the assistance of police and armed forces.

A total of 86 loads of 6,600 liters of Lanka Auto Diesel and 122 loads of 6,600 liters of Petrol 92 have been dispatched from the CPSTL distribution terminals and regional depots from 6.00 a.m. till 9.00 a.m. today.

Trade union leader Bandula Saman Kumara addressing the media today said it was unfair to initiate disciplinary action against them. 

“The government will not be able to use the military for fuel distribution for a long period’, " he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Wijesekara said the CPSTL had dispatched 574 loads of 6600 litres of Auto Diesel and 512 loads of 6600 litres of Petrol 92 from its terminals and regional depots between 6.00 AM to 4.00 PM today.