The Samagi United Trade Union Force, affiliated to the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), alleged yesterday (18) that the Government was planning to remove employees from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) under the pretext of reducing fuel prices. 

The group further warned that such action could disrupt fuel supply and distribution.

These allegations were made by the group’s Spokesperson and Convenor Ananda Palitha during a media briefing.

“Plans are being made to recruit employees on a contract basis to fill the vacancies created by removing CPC employees. If these plans materialise, the reliability of the fuel supplied to the public cannot be guaranteed and fuel quality could once again deteriorate. Fuel may also not reach filling stations on time and fuel queues could reemerge,” he claimed, adding that such efforts must be stopped.

Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala was not available for comment.