By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

The Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA) yesterday said that they had decided not to report for duty if the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) did not take action to change the transport formula according to the recent diesel price hike.  

SLPPTOA  Joint Secretary D.V. Shantha Silva said a discussion was held to update the transport formula with Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila on February 21, 2021.  

Later, according to the discussion, several letters were sent in this regard on March 3, 20, April 27 and June 14. With the recent increase in the fuel prices, diesel was increased by Rs.7 with effect from June 11 midnight. The existing transport costs mean the tanker operators have to bear an additional cost per km. As per the transport formula, the transport cost per km was Rs.18.83 to handle a 13,200 litre tank. The tanker operator must bear a cost of Rs.28 for a 19,000 litre tank and Rs.7.67 for a 33,000 litre tank.  As a result, the CPSTL and CEYPETCO have been notified to modify the traffic facilities since March 12.  With the recent fuel price hike, the tank operators are facing numerous issues.   The SLPPTOA also said that they would refrain from reporting for duty, if the authorities failed to provide a solution by this week. If anything happens to the fuel transportation system in the country, the CPSTL and CEYPETCO should take responsibility, the SLPPTOA warned.