"JVP should have opposed it when the tender was awarded, not now"

Handing the petroleum industry to two Indian companies creates a monopoly instead of opening the market, UNP legislator Rajitha Senaratne claimed.

“Both Bharat Petrolem and Indian Oil Company (IOC) belong to the Indian government. The chairman of the Bharat Petroleum becomes chairman of IOC on 01 April.”

Selling two thirds of shares to India in Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) while keeping one third of shares with Sri Lanka government constitutes to “transferring monopoly to India from Sri Lanka”, he claimed.

Dr. Senarathne also alleged that a proper tender procedure has not been followed on selecting Bharat Petroleum.

Workers forced ministers to suspend a special meeting

He questioned government’s coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) sincererity in protesting privatisation of CPC.

“The JVP should have opposed it when the tender was awarded; not now.”

United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government is having two separate policies on peace and two policies on privatisation, UNP said.

Thousands of CPC and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers protested on Monday against UPFA government’s restructuring plans.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers had to suspend a special cabinet meeting as thousands of CPC and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers protested government’s privatisation plans.

Ministers decided to postpone the meeting for two weeks and start negations with trade unions, Power and Energy minister Susil Premjayanth told BBC Sandeshaya.