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Minister Gammanpila assures no shortage of fuel due to closure of refinery

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/16

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Minister of Energy, Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery would be closed for 50 days, but the closure would not affect fuel supplies.

Addressing the media yesterday in Colombo, the Minister said the government had been compelled to adopt that measure as it was utilising its limited foreign reserves frugally.

“Our refinery is 51-years-old. Out of the total production of the refinery, 37% is furnace oil and naphtha, 19% jet fuel and 43% petrol and diesel. Due to heavy rains, the CEB produces over 50% of electricity with hydro power. Thus, the Ministry of Power has informed us that it does not need furnace oil. Moreover only long distance flights need jet fuel. Thus, there is little sense to import crude oil because 56% of it is used for producing furnace oil and jet fuel. Those reserves can be used to import petrol, diesel, medicines, food, gas and other essential goods,” the minister said.

Minister Gammanpila said that the refinery only produced 14% of the country’s total petrol needs and 29% of diesel needs of the country. He added that Sri Lanka spent about USD 350 million a month to import fuel.

“The CPC finds it extremely hard to obtain loans. Given that international rating agencies have downgraded Sri Lanka, it has become really hard to get loans. We will start importing crude oil when the balance of payment crisis is over,” he said.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.