Daily NEWS Srilanka

The government has decided not to go into agreement with regard to the strike launched by petroleum workers throughout yesterday. In the meantime steps have been taken after releasing a gazette to the effect that petroleum services is deemed essential and measures have been adopted to continue distribution of petrol utilising services of Army personnel and necessary legal procedures would be adopted to  dismiss workers found still

According to the gazette released by President's Secretary Mr. Austin Fernando last midnight (25), supplying of all petroleum products and liquid gas in addition to supplying and distribution of fuel has been made essential. In the same way, the gazette notifies that activities related to disposal of oil or fuel of a vessel at the port, transporting, unloading, storing, delivering or removal are expected to be carried out or all services deemed as essential should be adhered to. If workers fail to report to duty after it is made an essential service, they will be considered as having vacated their post, government says.

The Army entered Kolonnawa Petroleum Corporation last morning at about 2 o'clock and took over complete domination of the premises. The Army including the security forces entered through a gate situated at Obeysekerapura and managed to put out workers from petroleum corporation premises and thus took full control. Subsequently distribution activities of petrol was thus recommenced as usual thereafter.

It was reported that workers involved in the strike were removed and security of those who did not participate in the strike were assured of their security. Army Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratna mentioned that it would be possible to  provide the first fuel bowser today (26) around 10 in the morning under the control of the Army.