Fuel Shortages Persist Despite Price Hike, Trade Union Leader Claims

Convenor of the Samagi United Trade Union Force Ananda Palitha has claimed that fuel shortages have emerged despite recent increases in fuel prices, while accusing the Government of remaining silent over queues reported in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

Speaking at a media briefing, Palitha claimed that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was making profits from fuel while prices had been increased for some of the fuels most widely used by the public.

He said fuel shortages had resulted in long queues in the Northern and Eastern provinces and questioned whether the President who was currently in office was the same leader who had previously promised that people would not have to endure fuel queues.

“Anura Kumara has now become an AI president,” Palitha said, criticising what he described as the Government’s response to the situation.

He further claimed that the current queues had not emerged naturally but had been created, alleging that the country was importing fuel on a day-to-day basis.

Palitha also called for the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who he said had once again been subjected to imprisonment.

Referring to former ministers S.B. Dissanayake and Ranjan Ramanayake, Palitha said they had received presidential pardons and returned home, and appealed to the President to consider the situation concerning Gnanasara Thera as well.

He also called for humanitarian assistance to be provided to Iranian vessels, appealing to the authorities to take steps on humanitarian grounds.

Palitha further appealed to the Opposition Leader to intervene in the matter, referring to previous intervention concerning a Saudi national, and called for similar consideration to be given to Gnanasara Thera.