S'pore jet fuel: no danger says Yapa

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

There will be no loss or danger by importing aviation fuel from Singapore, Acting Media Minister and Acting Cabinet Spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

"Nearly 12,500 tons of aviation oil are in good quality without a problem. Only 7,500 tons of fuel did not have the required quality assurance certificate. The government received a discount of over Rs 1.7 million for the rejected stock when it accepted the 12,500 tons of quality aviation oil," he said. Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, the acting minister said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will use the contaminated stock of jet fuel of 7,500 tonnes as kerosene.

"There is no difference between kerosene and this fuel. Without two quality assurance certificates, no fuel is to be issued for aircraft. The 12,500 ton shipment had the quality assurance certificate but the 7,500 shipment of aviation fuel did not have the required certificate. The government appointed a committee and obtained a full report on the issue. Nothing had gone wrong in this oil transaction," he said.

Acting Minister Yapa said the National Savings Bank and The Finance Company deal was canceled due to irregularities in the procedure followed and Treasury approval was given only for transactions that follow the relevant procedure.

"The committee appointed to probe the issue will hand over its report to the President," he said.

Acting Minister Yapa also said Sri Lanka will host the Asian Junior Athletics Championships from July 9 to 12 with the participation of sportsmen and women, officials and journalists from 45 countries.