The owners of private tankers (bowsers) distributing fuel to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have refrained from their duties from midnight yesterday (15).
The decision has been taken as the authorities have failed to respond to a request made by the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA) to increase transport charges by 60% for the distribution of fuel.
Joint Secretary of the SLPPTOA Shantha Silva said as the governing authority of the CPC had failed to address their request, the Association had decided to boycott their duties.
Shantha Silva further said the Association had requested for the fuel transport formula to be revised to account for the 60% increase in transportation costs by the CPC fuel price increase.
He said the union had asked the administration to increase transport charges by 60 percent due to several factors including rising fuel prices and prices of other items such as lubricants and the rising dollar.
According to the union representative, at present, the CPC employs about 800 private tankers for fuel distribution. (NewsWire)