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CPC strike called off: Blazing crisis ends
Wednesday, 26 July 2006 - 4:13 AM SL Time
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A crippling two days` strike by Ceylon Petroleum workers was called off last evening after fuel stations had shut down leaving thousands of private motorists high and dry and private buses almost at a standstill.
Government and trade union officials said the strike was called off after presidential trade union advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra gave a written assurance from the President to the unions that the dispute over the new Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Storage Terminals Ltd. will be sorted out within two weeks.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation CEO Lionel Balagalle last night assured that most of the CPC`s fuel stations would be fully operational by evening today to meet the demand.
Lt. Gen Balagalle said the distribution of fuel began last evening with more than 20 bowsers scheduled to be dispatched last night.
He said bowsers initially left the Kolonnawa Oil storage facilities and later from other regional depots in Galle, Kotagala, Kurunegala and Haputale.
Petroleum Corporation trade union alliance spokesman D.M. Rajakaruna said the President had given them a written assurance that the appointment of the CPSTL`s Chairman Asantha de Mel ' who is also the chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket selection committee ' was being reviewed and he would not assume duties till a settlement was reached.
The unions had demanded that the appointment of Mr. De Mel be revoked and that the CPSTL be brought under the CPC to prevent the new company from becoming a first step towards a privatization of the CPC.
Before the 5.30 pm announcement of the settlement of the strike the situation in the country was chaotic with thousands of panic-stricken people wondering how they could get home from work.
Thousands of private motorists had been left stranded while private bus operators said only 35% of their buses were in operation yesterday and there might have been a total breakdown today if the strike had continued. However state bus services and train services had continued as usual yesterday with officials saying they had sufficient stocks to run for two or three more days.
The breakthrough in the talks between the unions and the presidential trade union advisor came after the failure of several rounds of talks between the striking unions and a tough talking Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie.
While union officials accused the Minister of taking a hardline and not listening to their side of the story, Mr. Fowzie insisted the appointment of Asantha De Mel as CPSTL Chairman was a presidential decision and it could not be changed according to the whim of some union leaders.
CPC officials said last evening that with the settlement of the strike, supplies from the eight oil storage terminals would be resumed immediately and were expected to gradually return to normal from today.
As panic and chaos prevailed in the country till the strike was settled yesterday, traffic jams increased around empty filling stations and frustrated three wheeler drivers whose daily income was badly affected by the fuel crisis went on a rampage demanding fuel supplies and police were called in to disperse them.
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Ice2006
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14
Member Profile
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26 Jul 2006 16:28:16 GMT Report for Abuse
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It is not end yet,as they got 2 weeks for next strike
Edited By - Ice2006 - 26 Jul 2006 16:28:47 GMT |
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