A five-member committee has been appointed by the Energy Ministry to look into the spread of COVID-19 at the Sapugaskanda Refinery, and will submit a report in ten days having completed its investigations.

According to a statement issued by the Energy Ministry, the committee was appointed by subject Minister Udaya Gammanpila after 474 patients were detected from the Sapugaskanda Refinery over the weekend.

“Despite the Public Health Inspectors’ Union saying this situation arose due to safety guidelines not being followed, the senior management of the refinery rejects their argument. In order to find out who is telling the truth, a five-person committee was [yesterday] established,” Energy Minister Gammanpila said.

The committee will be headed by the Ministry’s Assistant Secretary Chandika Athugala. Energy Ministry Advisor Lalith Wasantha and Senior Assistant Secretary Nayana Senaratne, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Managing Director Buddhika Madihewa, and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Medical Officer Roshini Rusiriwardena, are also members on the committee.

The Energy Ministry stated that maintenance work carried out every three years is currently ongoing, resulting in a larger number of daily workers on the premises. The committee is to investigate if the spread of the virus was due to management oversight, failure to comply with safety regulations, or any other factors.

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