‘Shipping Corp should transport fuel’
Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI
The responsibility of fuel transport should be given to the Shipping
Corporation in the future to avoid controversy, Mawbima Lanka Foundation
Chairman Ariyaseela Wickramanayake told Daily News Business.
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Ariyaseela
Wickramanayake |
He said this referring to the recent crisis that occurred, when a
large stock of imported fuel was found unsuitable for use due to
contamination.
“The country lost a huge amount of money and created unnecessary
problems to the government,” he said.
He said there was a time when transport of fuel was done by two ships
‘Royal Colombo’ and ‘Trincomalee’ owned by the Shipping Corporation and
operated without any such problem.
“Even if something happens, the Shipping Corporation was responsible
whereas in the recent case there is no one to take responsibility,” he
said.
He said even in the past illegal unloading of fuel while transporting
had taken place and water or other chemicals were mixed to balance the
stock. As a result the responsibility was given to the Shipping
Corporation.
Wickamanayake said the country imports two million tonnes of crude
oil a year and the government has to pay a total of US$ 40 million each
year.
This money could be saved by the Shipping Corporation and the
government would not have to pay freight charges which will be done by
the line ministry.
He proposed that it is a matter of owning two ships and training
marine officers to engage in that operation. This will create employment
for youth. This will also pave the way to export skilled marine officers
for higher salaries.
He said it was a known fact even in the past corruption took place
while transporting fuel where they unload good stocks on the way and mix
water to the balance stock. “This was the very reason to give that
responsibility to the Shipping Corporation,” he said.
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