Private petroleum tanker owners have threatened to withdraw from fuel distribution operations across Sri Lanka if their long-standing demand for a revision of the tanker transport pricing formula is not resolved by Friday.
M.H. Adikari, President of the Sri Lanka Private Petroleum Tanker Owners' Association, said the association had given authorities until Friday to reach a final agreement on the revised pricing structure, warning that failure to do so could result in a halt to fuel transportation services.
Adikari said the dispute had continued for nearly a year despite several rounds of discussions involving the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Moratuwa University and another trade union. According to him, the parties had previously agreed to develop a revised pricing formula, with the intention of finalising it by December 31 and implementing it from January 1.
However, he said the promised revision had yet to be implemented despite five to six rounds of discussions held during the year, including meetings in February, March and June.
Adikari said private tanker operators were facing severe financial pressure as operating and maintenance costs had risen sharply. He claimed that the prices of essential items such as spare parts, tyres and tubes had increased by between 100 and 450 per cent, making it increasingly difficult for operators to maintain their vehicles and continue services under the existing pricing formula.
He said tanker owners had been placing increasing pressure on the association to secure a solution, arguing that they could no longer sustain their operations under the current rates.
The association has nevertheless sought to resolve the matter through negotiations, recognising that fuel transportation is an essential service and that any disruption could affect consumers, businesses and the wider economy.
Following a recent meeting with the authorities, Adikari said a final discussion had been scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. to consider the proposed pricing revisions.
He warned that if the Friday meeting fails to produce a satisfactory agreement, private petroleum tanker owners would take collective action and withdraw their services.
Adikari further claimed that fuel station owners were also prepared to support the tanker operators if the dispute remained unresolved, potentially disrupting fuel distribution across the country.
