- Talks up fuel export refinery with India, Sampur power plant, Trinco oil tanks, CPC debt and excise duty, Chinese oil refinery in H’tota
- Claims anti-corruption legal action progressing
While highlighting plans to embark on an official visit to the Middle East in February, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined that the discussions will aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s energy and economic sectors.
Speaking at a public meeting, he detailed ongoing discussions regarding the import of petroleum and the establishment of an oil refinery in collaboration with India. Highlighting plans for an oil refinery, he revealed that the project would be developed in partnership with India, with aspirations of exporting petroleum globally.
“We will join hands with an Indian company and build an oil refinery,” he stated. “We will refine the oil and store it in these warehouses and sell it to the world.”
He also briefed on the agreement with India to construct the Sampur power plant. “The ownership of the power plant is 50-50%. Earlier, electricity was to be provided at $ 7 cents per unit. We concluded negotiations to buy it at $ 5.97 cents. Now, we are building that power plant,” he noted.
He further elaborated on the status of the 99 oil tanks in Trincomalee. “We took 24 tanks and gave 14 to the Indian Oil Corporation, leaving 61 more oil tanks,” he said, emphasising the strategic importance of these facilities for the proposed refinery.
Commenting on fuel prices, he acknowledged that while diesel prices have fallen below Rs. 300 under his administration, further reductions are not immediately feasible on a monthly basis due to financial constraints. “The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owes Rs. 900 billion. The debt is paid on the basis of each litre of fuel sold. The excise duty will be removed once the debt is paid,” he explained.
He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects supported by China, including the construction of a conference hall in the Colombo Port City, financed through a grant of $ 1.2 million, and an oil refinery in Hambantota.
Addressing concerns over corruption, President Dissanayake assured the public that legal action against alleged wrongdoers is progressing. “The work has now started. Cases are being filed vigorously,” he stated. “Previously, the files were hidden in the Attorney General’s Department. Cases are being filed quickly, don’t worry. Several cases will be concluded by the end of January,” he added.