Opposition MP backs declaring fuel essential service

A proclamation declaring the supply or distribution of fuel, including petroleum products and gas, and all services, work, labour of any description whatsoever, necessary or required to be done in connection with the discharge, carriage, landing, storage, delivery and removal of oil or fuel from vessels within any port as defined for the purposes of the Customs Ordinance was taken up for debate yesterday in Parliament.

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi MP M.A. Sumanthiran opened the floor by highlighting the importance of the particular service to the country, which led President Maithripala Sirisena to issue the Extraordinary Gazette notification 2029/23 on 25 July. 

“I would like to congratulate the President for declaring fuel as an essential service in this particular context. We have supported the right of trade unions to resort to legitimate trade union action. I don’t think any member in this House from either side of the divide would dispute the right to trade union action. But there comes a time when one asks the question as to whether the pendulum has swung the other way little too much. Today I think is an opportune moment to ask the question. We see the strike action at the drop of a hat belittling the most potent weapon in the hands of workforces. But it must be responsible and legitimate trade union action,” said MP Sumanthiran.

Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga joining the debate justified the proclamation issued for the betterment of the public. “We issued the Gazette because we saw how the public has been inconvenienced due to the trade union action. The Government is grappling with more issues such as the garbage disposal problem and dengue epidemic at the same time. Had the oil crisis continued any longer, the day-to-day activities of the people could have been crippled. We are ready for discussions at any moment, and at the same time we are not hesitant to take swift action if the public is inconvenienced,” he said.

Establishing his views on joint ventures against privatisation, the Minister said that it is necessary to take strategic decisions to develop a nation at this crucial moment and to cut the losses incurred during the previous regime. 

“Keep aside your political motives when you are dealing with these matters. The petroleum strike could have been called off earlier than this but some TU leaders who are acting as a cat’s paw of certain rejected politicians did not allow that to happen. The Hambantota oil tanks are not under the CPC, but under the Ports Authority.” 

“With joint investment into them we can yield optimal results. I tried to explain this to the TUs. Some political figures with no voter base tried to mess my work. I do politics with the people. Doing ministerial duties is not like doing betting and gaming. When I was holding the Ports and Shipping Ministry I intervened to get that agreement amended for the better,” he added.

The debate will continue today and will end with a vote. (AH)