The Trade Unions Collective of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has warned Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that, if the government does not take steps to fulfil their demands in the coming week, they will once again launch a massive island wide strike to press their demands.
They have informed the Prime Minister in writing that the reason for this decision is that it has become obvious that promises given to them by the Premier have not been honoured as suggested in the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the Prime Minister signed with India on his recent Indian tour.
They have added in the letter that the government should acknowledge responsibility for any inconvenience caused to the people by the strike they will begin next week.
The TU Collective launched a massive island wide strike on 24 April demanding that the CPC should acquire the China Bay oil tank farm in Trincomalee, immediately. They demanded that the proposed Lanka-India Oil Tank Farm joint venture be scrapped and that the oil tanks be vested in the CPC. The CPC trade unions called off their strike due to the written promise given by the Prime Minister that prior to entering into any joint venture with India, the government would discuss it with the Trade Unions. However, according to the letter sent by the CPC Trade Unions on 15 May, the government is preparing to finalize matters within the upcoming weeks, with terms which go beyond that promise.
The Trade Unions emphasize to the Prime Minister that under these circumstances, he should act immediately in accordance with the promise given. The recent CPC strike brought fuel distribution throughout the country to a standstill, impeding the normal functioning of the country. Convener of the CPC Trade Unions Collective Janaka Rajakaruna said, that copies of the letter were sent to President Maithripala Sirisena, Minister in Charge of the Subject Chandima Weerakkody as well as relevant officials. The other demands of the trade unions are that the CPC immediately acquire the fuel facility at the Hambantota Port and that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery should be modernized.
