Sri Lankan government has declared fuel distribution as essential service from midnight amidst a strike launched by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers. <br/><br/>The government issuing a gazette today ordered the employees attached to the petroleum distribution services to report to work immediately adding that those who fail to report to work will be considered as having vacated their posts. <br/><br/>However, it also requested the employees to return to work saying it is ready to resolve problems, if there are any, through discussions. CPC employees began an indefinite strike from Monday to protest against the Hambantota port deal with China and proposed oil tank agreement with India.<br/><br/>The Army has been deployed to distribute fuel from today while the CPC workers continue the strike. Army and Police entered the Petroleum Storage Complex this morning and got control of the facility from the striking workers.