The strike launched by the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA) has been called off.
The Association said the strike was called off following the successful discussion with Minister of Energy Gamini Lokuge.
The owners of private tankers (bowsers) distributing fuel to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) refrained from their duties from midnight yesterday (15).
The decision was taken as the authorities had failed to respond to a request made by the SLPPTOA to increase transport charges by 60% for the distribution of fuel.
Joint Secretary of the Association Shantha Silva said it 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)