FR against privatizing filling stations

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Fundamental Rights Petition was filed with the Supreme Court on Friday (26) challenging the Cabinet decision taken to award selected foreign oil companies to import, distribute and sell petroleum products in Sri Lanka in the long term.

The petition was filed by a group including the Sri Lanka Public Progressive Employees Association.
 
The Prime Minister, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, Members of the Cabinet, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and the Attorney General among others were named as respondents.

The petitioners claim that the Cabinet has taken the decision to allow selected companies from fuel-producing countries to import, distribute and sell petroleum products in Sri Lanka

The petitioners point out that preparations are being made to privatize most of the filling stations owned by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, including many highly profitable filling stations.

Accordingly, the petitioners point out that this will cause severe prejudice and a loss to the petroleum corporation as well as to the general public and allege that this would be a violation of the fundamental rights of the people.

Accordingly, the petition has sought for an order to be issued to prevent the implementation of the Cabinet's decision to privatize selected filling stations.