PUCSL receives over 200 complaints of irregularities at filling stations

• Lanka IOC assures to streamline its filling stations

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka yesterday said it had received over 200 complaints about irregularities at fuel filling stations countrywide. 

A statement from the Commission said it has taken steps to resolve these complaints following the petroleum consumer complaint resolution mechanism approved by the Cabinet Ministers in 2021.

“We have already taken steps to resolve the increasing number of complaints the Commission has received so far,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. 

He said the Commission is assisted by the Power and Energy Ministry, the Department of Weights and Measures, the Consumer Affairs Authority, and the Industrial Technical Institute.

“Our objectives are to eliminate malpractices at filling stations and ensure that fuel is delivered to the customer in the right quantity and quality. Based on customer complaints, irregularities such as hoarding of fuel and under-dispensing of fuel were revealed from the fuel filling stations we checked so far,” he explained. 

PUCSL Chief also said that Lanka IOC assured to take steps to streamline their fuel filling stations within two weeks. He claimed that despite inviting both petroleum companies for a discussion on Wednesday, only LIOC officials showed up.

“Our immediate goal is to ensure that the consumers receive the right amount at the time of sale of fuel and to take action against hoarding. Thereafter, we want to assure the quality of fuel distributed. Thus far, about 20 fuel samples have been handed over to the Industrial Technology Institute for testing,” Ratnayake said.

He also said that they have commenced collecting samples from 60 filling stations covering all districts to date. “We have initiated this process with the support of all institutions. We expect that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will also take steps to streamline their filling stations in the same way that LIOC is doing,” he added.