At least 19 vehicles experienced technical problems resulting from the petrol pumped at the newly opened Menikhinna filling station, police said.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Area Manager said the stock of petrol might have been mixed with water and measures were being taken to remove the water from the petrol.

He confirmed that the petrol issued by the Corporation was in keeping with the accepted quality standards and that the contamination had occurred at the filling station.

Police said investigations were being carried out by the Peradeniya Branch of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. The CPC said the cost of repairing the vehicles would have to be borne by the filling station.

It has been temporarily closed until such time the matter is cleared up.(CP & DS)