Petroleum workers postponed their strike by a week after discussions with Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday. 

The Minister, at the meeting, assured that he would facilitate a meeting with the President and the Prime Minister next week. 

Ranatunga told the Petroleum trade union representatives that a meeting could not be arranged immediately as the President and the Prime Minister were involved in several other matters such as countering the dengue outbreak. 

The trade union action was planned in protest of the government's move to hand over Trincomalee oil tanks to India, on a lease. 

The trade unions, at the discussions, warned that they would resort to a continuous strike action next week, if the government fails to deliver on its promises. 

The minister, in response, promised that he would not allow the government to make any decision that is detrimental to the country's future.