Diesel fiasco:

All spot purchases to be probed

Auditor General brought in:

Petroleum Resources Development Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday ordered a full scale investigation into all spot purchases and stock management by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) from August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 through the Auditor General.

Ministry Secretary R H S Samaratunga was to inform the Auditor General yesterday to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the dealings of the Corporation during this period, a release said.

The minister made this directive under provision of the CPC Act and a comprehensive audit report on the spot purchases and stock management of the Corporation during this year is to be produced by the Auditor General’s Department.

Meanwhile, following complaints about vehicle malfunctioning following the use of diesel, the CPC decided to strike the name of the supplier from the CPC’s register.

This decision was taken by the CPC Board of Directors on Friday.

Accordingly, the CPC has stopped purchasing fuel from the Vitol Group of Companies on the grounds that its supplies caused problems to vehicles, according to complaints from public institutions and that earlier too similar complaints were received by the CPC pertaining to the supplies of the same company.

Further action is to be taken against the supplier once the report of the three member committee and laboratory tests are released, a CPC release stated.