Rs.10 million spent to welcome oil minister

TUESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2013 

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has spent over Rs. 10 million for the ceremony held today to welcome the Minister of Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadharshana Yapa say reports.

CPC has spent Rs. 4.2 million to colour wash the complex for the ceremony. Rs. 3.5 million has been spent to pay overtime to about 400 workers who had colour washed the refinery spending four days.

CPC also purchased 35 flower pots to beautify the place for the event spending Rs. 3,200 for each. In addition drivers, clerks, security officers and executive staff involved in organizing the ceremony will be entitled to overtime payments.

Employees ask how could CPC that has cut housing loans and other facilities to its workers and does not repair the toilets at its Kolonnawa Complex that are in a deplorable state for want of funds spend Rs.1 million for an event to welcome the Minister.

VIDEO: CBSL PUTTING A FALSELY POSITIVE SPIN ON IMF REFUSAL - TISSA

February 12, 2013

The UNP rejected the statement made by the Central Bank that Sri Lanka will not pursue an IMF programme considering its external reserves stating that it is rather the IMF that has rejected granting Sri Lanka any loans.

UNP General Secretary MP Tissa Attanayake stated that the government had taken loans from the IMF, China and other private banks which had put the country in severe debt.

He added that given Sri Lanka’s situation and the fact that the IMF will not be granting loans to the country, the government is attempting to make excuses and put a positive spin on the situation.

MP Attanayake stated that the Central Bank is trying to suggest that the country will not take any more loans from the IMF.