How the petroleum strike unfolded

by Thava Sajitharan

Monday 24/07:

Merely a few days after the port strike was called off and the dispute of the Trade Unions settled, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers launched a strike last Monday.

The two major strikes that the country suffered cost many billion rupees and greatly inconvenienced the public.

The CPC protest was against the appointment of Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman and a former test cricketer Asantha De Mel as the Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. The CPC joint trade unions federation argued that there was no need to appoint a chairman to the CPSTL as the CPC chairman Jaliya Medagama could handle the CPSTL affairs as well.

Claiming that their intention was to prevent the CPC from being privatised, the unions demanded that Mr. de Mel's appointment be revoked.

However Petroleum Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie maintained that the appointment of Asantha de Mel as the Chairman of the CPSTL was a presidential decision and could not be changed.

In the meantime the non-distribution of fuel due to the CPC strike triggered chaos in many parts of the country. In Colombo, vehicles were seen queuing round fuel stations only to face disappointment. The chaotic situation led to traffic jams in some areas. Commuters, having no clue as to how to return home, were stranded on roads.

Tuesday 25/07:

The next day, the unions called off the strike on an assurance given by Presidential trade union advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra that the dispute relating to the CPSTL would be solved within two weeks. The unions said that they considered Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra as the Government representative and that they were assured that Asantha de Mel would not assume duties till a final settlement was reached.

The CPC fuel stations began to function. A total breakdown in the public transportation was averted as a result of it. Nonetheless, Minister Fowzie vowed not to give into the unfair demand of the trade unions.

Wednesday 26/07:

Minister Fowzie criticised Mr. Premachandra for misusing President Mahinda Rajapaksa's name and accused him of misleading the workers. President Rajapaksa told the Cabinet that the issue had to be handled by Minister Fowzie. He said that he gave no authority to Mr. Premachandra to deal with the matter.

Meanwhile, Asantha de Mel sought court intervention for him to perform duties in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. citing Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, Samastha Lanka Thel Kamkaru Sangamaya and Lanka Kanija Thel Podu Sevaka Sangamaya as defendants. Mr. de Mel sought the court order to restrain the unions from preventing him from entering the CPSTL premises and performing his duties.

The court issued notice on Presidential trade union advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Secretary to the Ministry to appear in courts. The trade unions threatened to strike again if their demand was not met. They said they would launch the strike with the support of the Ceylon Electricity Board and Railway unions.

Thursday 27/07:

Government decided to amalgamate the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing, Media Minister and Government spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said that the Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Minister Fowzie for the transfer of the shares of CPSTL and 107 filling stations back to the CPC.

The trade unions also agreed not to resort to union actions following the government's decision. Mr. de Mel informed court that a mutual settlement had been reached among concerned parties and the existing board of directors of the CPSTL will remain in their respective positions until a final solution is reached. The court was also informed about the merger of CPSTL with the CPC.

Friday 28/07:

Asantha de Mel assumed duties as the Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd.