Allegations relating Aviation Fuel imports rejected

The government rejects the allegations made by the United National Party Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake that it has imported low quality aviation fuel and thereby endangered the lives of civilians. The government further said that these allegations are being made only with the objective of discrediting the government in the international arena.  

Explaining on this matter, the Acting Minister of Mass Media and Information Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene told the Cabinet Decisions announcing Media Conference held at the Information Department on Thursday that when aviation fuel is imported steps are taken to ensure  the quality of the fuel by obtaining quality and standard certificates at the point of loading as well as at the point of unloading.  This is being done to ensure that there is no contamination while on transport.

The Minister said that Sri Lanka had placed an order for 20,000 metric tons of Jet A-1 fuel from British Petroleum Co. in Singapore and the consignment arrived in two containers and when the normal tests were carried out at the port it was found that 7, 500 metric tons of fuel in one container was contaminated, and cannot be used it as jet fuel.

However he said that the authorities of the Petroleum Corporation later negotiated with the Singapore Company to purchase the contaminated jet fuel as kerosene.

The 12,500 metric tons of fuel which were found to be in conformity with CPC standard specifications is to be used as aviation fuel and the balance which did not conform to CPC standard specifications is to be used as kerosene.

The Minister said that the government has also appointed a Committee to investigate as to how this contamination had occurred.(niz).