Following a gazette issued by the government making fuel distribution an essential service, the Army entered  the Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). 

The Army sources said they would begin fuel distribution from this morning.

The government issued a gazette notification making fuel distribution an essential service after talks between the government and the CPC trade unions failed last night. 

The Unions refused to call off the strike until their demands are fully met.