Sri Lanka fuel quality problem blamed on dregs, rain

Susil Premajayantha said motorists who could prove they had been supplied contaminated fuel would be given compensation.

He rejected allegations the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had imported low quality fuel which had been blamed for damaging vehicles and petrol pumps, saying imports had been tested and found to be of the required standard.

But anyone found responsible for importing low quality fuel would be punished, Premajayantha told a news conference.

He said the CPC had been forced to make emergency purchases of petrol after a surge in demand during a recent holiday period which forced retailers to draw down storage tanks almost to the bottom.

Sediment at the bottom of the tanks had got mixed with new fuel that was pumped in while in some outlets rain water had seeped in, Premajayantha said.

Premajayantha said the government got about 125 complaints of pumps being damaged at fuel retail outlets and complaints of damage to hybrid vehicles, motorcycles and cars in many areas where contaminated fuel had been sold.

READER COMMENT(S)

10. Nuwan Jul 04

If the CPC refilled the tanks for the first time ever, the funny story of mixing sediments with fuel could be accepted. Whether the sediments or water mixed with the fuel, being the monopolist in Petroleum import, CPC,the respective minister and the government at large should be responsible for the damages caused to the consumers.

This proves the irresponsibility and inefficiency of the minister and the government. Today I witnessed people are pushing some broken vehicles on road and surprisingly the minister might not witness these sufferings as he travels in a darken vehicle. CPC is announcing to complain about damages.However the public is wondering the actions that CPC is going to take even after complaining. Minister has challenged the motorist to prove the damages were caused due to low quality of fuel. But minister Premajayantha should understand that the victims do not have time and money for testing the quality of petrol rather repairing the damaged petrol pump. Its know fact that machinery parts of some private owned power generators were damaged due to importing low quality industrial fuel some time back. Companies could bare the damage, but individuals can not.

9. isurujosh Jul 02

"What he says is that it is the first time ever a rain had hit the country so the storage tanks have water seeping in. This is the first time the country experienced a surge in fuel usage, so sediments at the bottom of the tanks got mixed with petrol. :D"

People get the goverment and answers they deserve!!!

8. DillonDP Jul 01

What a pathetic state in our country ... and minister stop joking in such crisis situation by saying "anyone found responsible for importing low quality fuel would be punished"

7. Prince Jul 01

My Vehicle Pumped Fuel for Rs.3,240 at Ratnapitiya Junction Pump Station has broken down.

6. Andare Jul 01

"But anyone found responsible for importing low quality fuel would be punished, Premajayantha told a news conference." - ROFL :D

What he says is that it is the first time ever a rain had hit the country so the storage tanks have water seeping in. This is the first time the country experienced a surge in fuel usage, so sediments at the bottom of the tanks got mixed with petrol. :D

Mr. Minister, we know you are a royal Joker! we know you are incompetent (we still remember what you did at the education ministry). Just don't think that the rest of the Sri Lankans are like you.

I wonder why does the president keep people like this in his cabinet. Mr. President, How can you push the country forward with xxx like these?

5. Saman Jul 01

Two of our staff in my office have been affected and the fuel pumps in their have had to be replaced.

Somebody has to take responsibility for this.

4. Mithra Jul 01

If CPC sells fuel in outlets with their logo. then they should take responsibly for the quality of fuel - in rain or sunshine.
We pay a inflated price for the fuel - CPC should deliver the quality they promise. Too bad they cannot be sued - or can we ?

3. doch1500 Jul 01

What a load of BS – So if it rains heavily we can’t user our case as tanks are leaking. An A/L economics student will tell you that if there’s sudden increase in cars been imported & registered, there would definitely be an increase in the demand for fuel…… SO CPC could not do a basic forecast of the demand in fuel data……
Bottom line – it was inferior fuel that was imported – no 2 words about it and CPC were aware if the same.

2. Kasza Jul 01

The CPC is wiping off there hands very nicely. Reality is these kind of malpractices should be stoped. 5 of known cars were busted on this issue and in this country nobody takes responsibility.

1. Reality Jul 01

Its time CPC inspected the standard of stowage tanks of Dealers.
Various dyes introduced into petrol too cause pumps to fail.