CPC trade unions strike against Hambantota deal

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Trade Union Collective has launched an indefinite strike protesting the Government’s decision to finalise the Hambantota Port agreement, disregarding their demand to have the oil bunkering facility and tank farm under the Petroleum Resources Ministry.

“We had negotiated with the Prime Minister and we demanded a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss the Hambantota deal. He had given him till Monday 4.30 p.m. to inform us of his willingness. The time has passed and they have decided to present the Hambantota agreement to the Cabinet today for approval. We are protesting against the fact that the oil tank farm and the two jetties and 16 loading arms will be given over to Chinese control,” Convenor of the Trade Unions Collective D.J. Rajakaruna told Daily FT.

The trade unions have been demanding to retain control of the facility with the CPC.

This was one of the main demands made by the trade unions during their island-wide strike in April this year.

Two weeks ago Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga negotiated to buy time with the trade unions. The trade unions agreed to postpone their strike following a request by the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision due to the situation the country faced with the dengue epidemic.

As the trade unions announced the strike, panic buying ensued in Colombo and its suburbs with vehicles forming long queues outside filling stations.

Others said that Ranatunga, who was in agreement with the deal with China subject to a few conditions unrelated to oil tanks when he was Shipping Minister, has made a U-turn.