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Fuel distribution: Over 1,000 CPC fuel stations run dry

03 Jul 2022

By Asiri Fernando Over 1,000 fuel stations under the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have been forced to shut down, leaving approximately 15,000 personnel without steady employment, The Sunday Morning learns. Responding to a question, Petroleum Dealers’ Association Secretary Kapila Naotunna told The Sunday Morning that nearly 1,160 fuel stations in the CPC distribution network had completely shut down due to the lack of fuel supplies over the last few days.  The CPC network is the largest fuel distribution operation in the country. “Only 50 petrol sheds remain open and that too only on each Friday as it is the designated day for health sector staff to refuel. Fuel parcels are only sent to those 50 sheds on Friday,” Naotunna said. According to Naotunna, each fuel station has, on average, around 15-20 personnel who man the pumps, and the resulting shutdown has affected their livelihoods. When asked about losses incurred due to the involuntary shutdown of fuel stations, Naotunna said that the dealers had not yet calculated the losses incurred. “It will be significant; some may go bankrupt,” he opined.  Sri Lanka suspended supplying fuel to the public last week as the State failed to secure adequate funding for fuel stock upkeep. Fuel is now only being issued to essential services. Despite there being no fuel issued, many motorists, delivery drivers, bus divers, and truckers are seen waiting in queues outside fuel stations awaiting fuel.   


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