Ananda Palitha Accuses Government of Improper Payments to Fuel Compan

Convenor of the Samagi United Trade Union Force Ananda Palitha has accused the Government of making improper payments to private fuel companies and called for the money to be redirected to public hospitals.

Speaking at a media briefing, Palitha referred to a special media briefing held by the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday, where the Chairman reportedly said the recent fuel shortage had occurred because reports on social media and in the media had created fears that fuel prices would be increased.

Palitha said the CPC Chairman had maintained that there was sufficient fuel in the country and claimed that private fuel companies had reduced sales because selling at existing prices was allegedly causing them losses.

However, Palitha rejected this explanation, describing it as completely false. He argued that private companies could sell fuel at their prevailing prices and claimed that similar arrangements had been implemented previously without any problem.

Palitha also alleged that the Government had provided Rs. 41 billion to fuel companies and described the payment as an improper and unlawful act.

He called for the money to be immediately redirected as donations to the Cancer Hospital, Children’s Hospital and National Hospital.

The allegations and demands were made by Palitha during the media briefing.