Petroleum unions call off trade union action over oil pipeline dispute until Friday

Petroleum trade unions have halted trade union action over an oil pipeline dispute following talks with Petroleum Minister Kabir Hashim today (Jul 1).

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade unions halted the supply of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board from midnight today after Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake suspended construction activities of an oil pipeline.

However, Petroleum Resources Minister Hashim had met with the trade unions this morning and had ensured that a viable solution will be provided to this issue on Friday. A ministerial committee had been appointed to arrive at a solution over this issue.

Mr. Hashim had also told unionists that this issue would be taken up before cabinet this week.

Minister Karunanayake had suspended the remaining construction of a five kilometre pipeline which connects the Colombo Port to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC)'s storage terminal in Kolonnawa.

The construction had been suspended after squatters in certain areas through which the pipeline was expected to run through, had raised objections against the project.

(DW)

Related story

CPC halts fuel supply to CEB from midnight