COLOMBO — The nation faces the looming threat of a complete breakdown in fuel distribution as the Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners Association (CPPTOA) issued a stern ultimatum today. The association announced that if authorities fail to adjust fuel transportation charges to reflect current economic realities by this coming Friday, tanker owners will cease operations nationwide.
The crisis stems from a prolonged standoff between the association and state authorities regarding the revision of transport rates. According to CPPTOA Chairman A.M.H. Adhikari, the association had proactively sought a review of charges early in 2025, with expectations for a new rate structure to take effect by January 2026. However, despite multiple rounds of negotiations, the requested adjustments have yet to materialize.
“We have reached a point where we can no longer bear these costs,” Adhikari told reporters following a meeting with the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). He noted that while the CPC chairman has provided assurances that a solution will be presented by Friday, the association’s patience is wearing thin.
The financial strain on tanker operators has been exacerbated by the recent surge in fuel prices, which has directly inflated the operational costs of bowsers. Beyond fuel, the industry is grappling with a steep rise in maintenance expenses; Adhikari highlighted that the costs of critical supplies, including tyres, tubes, spare parts, and vehicle servicing, have climbed by more than 50% in recent months.
“Fuel distribution is an essential service, and we have consistently prioritized the nation’s energy security even as our margins have evaporated,” Adhikari stated. “But we are now at a threshold where continued operations are financially unsustainable.”
The impact of the ongoing dispute is already manifesting on the ground. Reports indicate that several private bowser operators have already pulled their vehicles off the road in protest, leading to the emergence of fuel queues at various filling stations across the country. This early disruption serves as a preview of the widespread shortages that could paralyze public transport, logistics, and daily commerce if a resolution is not reached within the next 48 hours.
The association maintains that it does not desire a strike, but rather a sustainable pricing model that allows them to remain in business. As the Friday deadline approaches, eyes are turned toward the CPC, with the CPPTOA standing ready to determine its next course of action based on the government’s response. For now, the prospect of empty pumps looms large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the country’s fuel supply chain.
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