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SLSI won’t probe fuel quality until written complaint

29 Mar 2022

 
  • Asks those who complained to complain in writing
  • Petrol, diesel quality down due to mixing, claim consumer activists and transport unions 
    BY Dinitha Rathnayake The Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) has refused to conduct an investigation into complaints from civil organisations’ and transport union representatives about the standards of petrol and diesel provided to consumers and vehicles in Sri Lanka, until such complaints are submitted in writing to the SLSI. SLSI Director (Engineering Standardisation) Sunanda Fernando told The Morning yesterday (28) that the matter was discussed at the SLSI premises with four civil organisations’ representatives who went to the SLSI to lodge a complaint about the standards of petrol and diesel on Sunday (27). He said that these civil organisations’ collective were advised to provide a written complaint on the matter to the SLSI, and to contact the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for further requirements. “We cannot carry out an investigation without a written complaint.” Speaking to The Morning on Sunday, consumer rights activist Asela Sampath said that six civil organisations including the All Island Three Wheeler Drivers’ Union, the Motorcycle Association, the School Bus Service Association, the Mage Rata Association, and the Samagi Sevaka Sangamaya had gone to the SLSI to make the complaint. “The petrol and diesel quality is not up to the measured standards. This is what we believe, and we can prove this,” he claimed. Motorcycle Association President Chirantha Amarasinghe, speaking to The Morning, also claimed that there can be a dilution or mixing of fuel, as the colour of fuel is also different. “This should be investigated by the relevant parties from storage, transportation to distribution.” He also said that non-governmental organisations should get involved in this matter since they have no faith in government organisations. “There should be an assurance for the customers who use fuel, as at the end of the day, they are the ones who would suffer from this current crisis and the quality of fuel,” Amarasinghe added. However, earlier this year, CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said that there was no truth in the allegations made regarding the quality standards of petrol. “Allegations regarding the standards of petrol are completely false and misleading. The octane rate has not been reduced from 92 Octane to 91 Octane,” he had told the media.


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