If the Petroleum Industries Minister is not willing to take responsibility for the import of substandard petrol then who should take responsibility, questions UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardana.

Is it the public or the United National Party who is responsible for this, he asked from the government speaking at a media briefing today (July 17).

Dr. Jayawardana, the Deputy General Secretary of the UNP made this statements referring to an article in a newspaper in which Minister Susil Preamajayantha had stated that he was not responsible for the import of the controversial petrol.

The Minister has admitted to bringing down substandard petrol but says he is not responsible and blames other officials. This is a shameful act by the Minister, as a responsible individual, says Jayalath.

He alleged that the government is attempting burden the public with the losses it suffered from the import of substandard petrol and through the hedging deal.

Dr. Jayawardana pointed out that Secretary to the Treasury, PB Jayasundera had stated to media recently that the government would pay the nearly $162 million owed by the Petroleum Corporation to the Standard Chartered Bank in relation to the hedging deal.

This is not his personnel money, it is the money of the people of the country which they are using to pay this debt, he accused. “The government is sucking the blood of the innocent masses like a dengue mosquito.”