Train and bus services were crippled all of a sudden during the last few days due to the use of diesel of inferior quality imported to the country once again.

Informed sources said that a former head of the CPC had acted to delist this company, enabling it to import fuel to Sri Lanka. From this company, a stock of diesel had been imported on July 17, and released to the market.

Buses and trains developed engine troubles after the use of such diesel. Informed sources said the CPC is contemplating action against this company once laboratory tests were completed. The Petroleum Ministry Secretary, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga, appointed a three –member committee to look into this problem. The committee will start its duty today, and submit its report within a week. The CPC faced a similar crisis a year ago after the use of substandard fuel supplied by yet another Singaporean company. Asked for a comment, President of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya of the CPC Ananda Palitha said a number of crane operator machines at the Colombo Ports were damaged after the use of this fuel appeared to be contaminated with a chemical.

“As far as we understand, 45,000 tonnes had been imported. Of this stock, 20,000 tonnes were stored in Kolonnawa and the rest in Muthurajawela. The stock from Kolonnawa was released to the market. Then, this crisis started. Now, thousands of vehicles have been damaged,” he said.

In the fuel market, there was a similar crisis reported last year due to the import of such diesel of inferior quality from a different company in Singapore. Action is still pending against that company.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka