The Southern Expressway, Sri Lanka’s first E-class highway was declared open in November 2011. While it was later extended up to Matara in 2014, it is yet again set to be further extended to Hambantota in the near future. However despite currently being over a stretch of 130 Kilometers the expressway continues to operate sans a functioning fuel station to the great detriment of motorists.
The two fuel stations in fact were built over three years ago by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., a subsidiary of Sri Lanka Insurance which also operates the service area of the Southern Expressway. Built as Litro Gas officials say to the highest standard, the fuel station is also set to consist of a vehicle servicing point, EV charging stations and various other facilities. However, despite the extensive preparations due to various issues regarding the ownership of land and other complications relating to safety, the functioning of the fuel station has been put on hold indefinitely as the necessary clearance from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is yet to be obtained. As the authorities involved in the issue go back on forth, a date for the commencement of its operations is still to be announced leaving expressway users to find alternatives in case of emergency situations.
Ultimatum
But with the fuel station taking over three years to materialize the Road Development Authority has now issued an ultimatum to Litro Gas. According to the Chairman of the Road Development Authority (RDA) Nihal Suriyaarachchi the RDA has written to Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. asking them to commence operations of the fuel station by December 2017.
As explained by Suriyaarachchi the delay was due to various safety issues on site. “For example, there is a High voltage power line over the built gas station” he said, adding that Litro was instructed to rectify these safety issues. According to him once these issues are rectified the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation can provide Litro with the necessary clearance to commence its operations. “Safety standards are a must and they must be adhered to,” he said. ‘However, most issues relating to the fuel station have now been rectified. “Operation may even begin within a month’s time’, he said.
No Response
According to the Deputy General Manager - Marketing of CPC, Krishantha Wickramasinghe the issues relating to the fuel station started when the construction of the station was done without the prior approvals from CPC. “The normal procedure is an agent must get prior approval as the CPC is very keen on confirming that proper security and safety aspects are in place” he said pointing out that however the constructions had begun without any such approval from the CPC.
In fact according to Wickramasinghe there were a number of issues regarding safety. “There is a transformer nearby and this has to be relocated as it is a major safety concern,” he said. ‘Several more issues of safety were identified by CPC. Before we issue them fuel these issue must be corrected to prevent any dangerous situations,” he said. According to Wickramasinghe, Litro has been informed accordingly. “We have asked them to do the needful and revert to us,” Wickramasinghe said.
However, according to CPC officials Litro has failed to respond to the letter sent by them a month ago thus further delaying the licence process. “Once they get back to us there is no issue in CPC giving them the necessary approvals,” he said. ‘How fast the operations can now commence lies completely at the hands of Litro’.
Everything Rectified
But confusingly Litro claims that all necessary rectifications have now been completed. According to Director of Sales and Marketing of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Chaminda Ediriwickrama both fuel stations were developed by Litro to the highest standards.
“I believe they are the best gas station in the island,” he said. The latest technology has been used when building the fuel station. “If allowed can even commence operations at a day’s notice”, he said. Litro has also hired employees while they have also fully completed the construction of both fuel station in Welipenna.
“The delay is in obtaining the necessary fuel from CPC”, Ediriwickrama explained. Their application has not been approved by the CPC for several reasons.
While a legal tussle is on going about the ownership of the land, officials from Litro say all other issues regarding safety have been resolved by them.
According to Ediriwickrama a case was filed by the Welipenna Pradeshiya Sabha as at the time the land was developed without proper land acquisition by the government.
“There are negotiations now going on in this regard but other issues are resolved,” Ediriwickrama confirmed.
He also claimed that the CPC has been informed of the steps taken by Litro to rectify the issue denying the claim by CPC that Litro had failed to do so. “We have informed them and are hopeful we can obtain at least a temporary licence to operate,” he said.
The main issue with the continuous postponing as Ediriwickrama puts it, is the difficulties faced by the motorists. “We are both government organizations so we would like to have a mutual agreement with CPC and obtain a temporary licence,” he said.
‘At any point consumers should not be penalized for tussles between the organizations.’