• Fuel distribution not affected; PDA

Fuel station owners across Sri Lanka will hold a silent protest today (6) at 9.30 a.m. in front of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the Petroleum Distributors Association (PDA) stated. 

PDA Executive Committee member D.V. Shantha Silva said the protest is a response to unresolved operational issues affecting fuel stations and the general public.

“The odd-even fuel distribution system currently in place has created significant difficulties for filling station employees and customers. When the system was first introduced in 2022, the QR mechanism was not in use. Now that both QR and the odd-even system are operating, the public is facing many inconveniences.”

He also noted that under the existing fuel price formula, CPC and other state corporations receive a 6% operating profit, while fuel stations previously earned a 3% dividend. The new CPC management has reportedly removed that dividend.

Silva further said delays and failures in scheduled diesel and petrol deliveries had further disrupted station operations. “District representatives of the PDA met on 30 March and sent a letter requesting a meeting with the CPC. Since no response was received, we have decided to hold this silent protest,” he said.

He also said that fuel distribution would not be affected by the protest. “We will ensure all necessary measures are taken to maintain operations. The protest will proceed only after arrangements for uninterrupted supply are in place,” he said.

The CPC introduced the odd-even system on 18 March to manage demand. However, storage shortages at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals, combined with disruptions in global supply chains and banking logistics, have caused delays in fuel deliveries despite sufficient confirmed stocks.