Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers have halted the distribution of fuel and commenced a strike from this morning.
The CPC workers have started the strike demanding the arrest of former Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga after the death of youth yesterday at the CPC office in Dematagoda.
Due to the strike, long queues can be seen at the fuel stations, while some people have waited in line from last night to fill the tanks.
Former minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who was overseas when the President sacked the Prime Minister and unity government collapsed, had attempted to get into his office at the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in Dematagoda after his return to the country.
When Ranatunga tried to enter his office a mob gathered outside has attempted to assault him, his official security guard had opened fire at the mob injuring three people, according to reports. One of the injured has died.
Although the police arrested the security officer, with the death of the youth, the CPC workers have threatened to strike unless the former minister was also arrested. Since their demand has not been met, the CPC workers have launched a strike from this morning.
Meanwhile, one of MP Ranatunga’s aides has claimed that during the stand-off, a union leader entered his office on the fourth floor with a few supporters and tried to shoot at the former minister and the security guards fired at the mob protecting him.
The convener of the Petroleum Trade Union Collective, D. J. Rajakaruna has told media the distribution of fuel has been stopped since morning and a strike has been launched. The strike will be halted after the strikers’ demand is met, he added.
