CPC board on firing line

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s board of directors is likely to be reconstituted in the wake of the recent countrywide petrol shortage.

Government sources say President Maithripala Sirisena will ask Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to carry out the task. He would have to seek the President’s approval for the new nominees. The board is currently headed by Dhammika Ranatunga, brother of the Minister.

At last Tuesday’s weekly ministerial meeting, President Sirisena asked Minister Ranatunga to explain how rumours of another petrol shortage led to queues outside fuel stations around the city. The minister said he had asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a probe into the matter. He said an SMS sent by someone had been the cause for all the panic.

The President directed the Cabinet Sub Committee appointed to probe the shortage to continue to liaise with Minister Ranatunga and ensure supplies of fuel were not interrupted. For this purpose, the sub -committee will monitor impending fuel shipments and ensure correct decisions are taken.

The sub-committee headed by Sarath Amunugama includes Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Arjuna Ranatunga.

Among other matters, the Committee noted in its report that “Initial indications were that the lack of unloading equipment and lack of sufficient pipelines to transfer fuel to Muthurajawela and Sapugaskanda as well as failure to maintain buffer stocks were reasons, senior officials of the CPC should be responsible for purchases, maintaining stocks and distribution activities. However, it is difficult to clearly identify the specific officials responsible due to long term deficiencies in the management of fuel stocks. Therefore, we propose that a three-member investigation team with sufficient technical expertise be appointed.”