CPC, CEB would be made more people friendly - Minister Amunugama

BY L.B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

FINANCE and Planning Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama reiterated in Hedeniya, Harispattuwa on Saturday that there was no intention whatsoever to privatise the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), but those enterprises would be restructured and be made more people friendly and that would be of service to the consumer and the poor people of the country.

As a responsible government they could not let about 7000 to 8000 corporation employees who had crept into those institutions through the back door for want of qualifications to hold 20 million people of the country as hostage.

Dr. Amunugama made those observations at the distribution of certificates to those students who successfully completed the Diploma courses in Computer studies at the Dr. Sarath Amunugama Education Centre. The event took place at the Hotel Sunrich, Hedeniya, Werellagama.

Dr. Amunugama, Director CTC Wijaya Malalasekara, Chief Government Whip of the Central Provincial Council Dilum Amunugama, Lakshman Nugawela of the CTC, Director Ivees Kanchana Ratwatte and Director of the Education Foundation Chandrika Tennakoon lit the traditional oil lamp to inaugurate the ceremony.

The Finance Minister said that if the CEB was reorganised, the price of every electricity unit could be reduced by Rs. 280, but those who oppose the move wanted to increase every unit by Rs. 2.80 instead. Could the ordinary electricity consumer pay almost double the present tariff? Could those industrialists and hoteliers pay hundred fold increased bills? They would go bankrupt.

Out of Petroleum filling stations in the country 120 were directly under the corporation under 'Cepetco'. Under the previous UNF rule another 120 filling stations were given over to the Indian Oil Company.

The present suggestion was to hand over to Bharath Petroleum 49 per cent of shares of another 120 filling stations keeping 51 per cent shares for the CPC and the Sri Lanka Government.

The oil refinery owned by the CPC was in a position to refine only 50 per cent of their requirement of petroleum products. The balance 50 per cent were imported as refined products direct from producing countries and supplied to filling stations.

What the government expected by that deal with Bharath Petroleum was to hand over the full income derived from giving 120 filling stations to Bharath Petroleum, to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to be utilized on the rebuilding of the refinery, so that their entire oil requirements could be supplied by the refinery in our own country.

Dr. Amunugama added that the people should be made aware of the correct position of this move. If the country's oil requirements were refined at the CPC Refinery they could save a minimum of around US dollars 7 to 8 per every barrel. When the price of oil was around Dollars 25 and 30 that amount was negligible.

But when the price is 60 dollars per barrel, it becomes a very huge amount. If they managed to save the 6 dollars per barrel by refining crued oil locally, it would have a huge impact on the development of the economy. Most of those who opposed that move were fighting to stop that progress.

There was another very important factor that the people should be aware of. Other than 300 filling stations mentioned above, there are 700 other stations in the country. They would be able to establish another 300 stations in case they were able to rebuild and develop the refinery making the balance number of sheds 1000.

Those people who opposed the restructuring move, never talk about these 1000 filling stations, because they did not want to touch on the refinery issue. The other existing 700 filling stations were being run by politicians, thugs, rougues and unscrupulous charactors.

They did not spend a red cent to renovate or develop those places or to provide additional jobs to any unemployed youth. There was no difference in the appearance between some of those sheds and public latrines. They only rob and earn money. But those people who opposed did not talk about those filling stations, Minister Amunugama added.

"The country forward" was not enough. "The country for a change" should be added to it. The education sector, corporations, Health Services, administrative services, Kachcheri System, the procedure of providing jobs, should all be changed to suit the modern needs. Sri Lanka must step into the modern world. She must follow in the footsteps of India, China, Malaysia, and the United States.

Failure to do so would be a massive setback for development. Therefore, the people should take a decision. It was the people who voted this government into power and not those opposing corporation employees, added Dr. Amunugama.

Under the circumstances the first thing the leaders should do was to take bold and strong decisions. When the education system was changed some people got hurt. The privileged class did not like it, but the government could not satisfy those sections disregarding 20 million other people.

CTC Director Wijaya Malalasekara and Kanchana Ratwatte also spoke. The Minister also presented certificates.