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Multi-billion rupee project in the pipeline to push up SL’s fuel buffer stock to 3 months

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5 years ago

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BY SURESH PERERA

Sri Lanka has embarked on an ambitious multi-billion rupee initiative to significantly improve the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) under an ongoing long-term plan to push up the buffer stock to approximately three months from the existing 21 days.

As a crucial element of the strategy, a new oil farm will be built at Muthurajawala, while enhancing the holding capacity at the Kolonnawa storage terminal in the backdrop of continuing talks with the Indian government to reclaim 84 unused tanks in the upper section of the Trincomalee oil farm.

The operation of the 99-tank Trincomalee oil farm complex was given to Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC), a subsidiary of Indian state-owned IOC, under a long-term lease in 2003. However, at present, only 15 tanks in the lower section of the gigantic British built WW2 era facility are being used by the Indian company.

“The minister is in talks with the Indian government to explore the possibility of using the 84 oil storage tanks now lying idle”, says M. Uvais Mohamed, Chairman/Managing Director, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL).

“We need to prioritize our focus on enhancing the available storage capacity as the national demand for fuel climbs by 5% per annum”, he said in an interview with The Sunday Island in his office at the sprawling, six-acre Kolonnawa oil terminal.

Sri Lanka’s annual import of fuel amounts to two million metric tons of crude oil and three million metric tons of refined oil.

The Chairman said that 50 acres were sought for the proposed Muthurajawala oil storage project (adjoining the existing CPSTL facility of 29 tanks) but only 25 acres were released. If the outright purchase of the land is considered too costly, a lease arrangement will be worked out.

“The idea is to build bigger oil storage tanks at the new Muthurajawala complex because they are more efficient and easy to maintain”, he explained.

Referring to the proposed storage capacity expansion at the Kolonnawa terminal, he outlined that the construction of nine new oil tanks are on the cards at a cost of Rs. 3 billion.

International tenders were called to build four 15,000MT, four 7,000MT and one 5,000MT oil tanks at the Kolonnawa complex, and bids were awarded to an Indian company to construct six of them, while the other three will be undertaken by a Sri Lankan enterprise using 100% local labor, Mohamed continued.

“One oil tank at Kolonnawa, which is unusable as it’s around 50 to 60 years old, will be demolished, while another with its bottom deck corroded can be repaired. We can do it for Rs. 50 million rather than spend Rs. 500 million to build a new one”, he said.

The Chairman stressed that Muthurajawala was earmarked for the new oil farm as Kolonnawa is a densely populated, cosmopolitan area with inadequate land resources for such a mega project.

“What is important is to enhance energy security by improving the country’s oil reserves to meet any contingency. That’s why we are looking at a three months’ buffer stock in the long run. This is a fair target because even a big country like the US maintains three to six months in oil reserves”, he noted.

Q: When do you expect to achieve the target of enhancing storage capacity under the ‘long-term plan?’

Within the next two to four years, we will be able to increase storage capacity by 100,000MT. The refurbishment of tanks, which are either not in use or cannot be used to their full capacity, is being undertaken. As a result, in another six months, we will be able to enhance capacity by 20,000MT. We are expediting the whole process. These are concrete plans, not wishes. Energy security is of paramount importance.

Q: You referred to talks with India on using 84 tanks in the Trincomalee oil farm. Has there been any headway?

The Minister is holding discussions on the matter, and as we maintain cordial relations with India, I think we will be able to work it out. This was government-owned land that was leased out to the IOC. The Sri Lanka government will decide on it. We should work together to make it viable and beneficial to the country.

Q: The CPSTL is largely dependent on the private sector bowsers for the distribution of fuel island-wide. Don’t you agree that CPSTL should have its own fleet of vehicles for this purpose in the event of a contingency?

At present, 88% of daily distribution of fuel is done by bowsers belonging to both the CPSTL and private owners. However, CPSTL owns only 158 bowsers, while around one thousand others are hired from private owners. I agree that we need to enhance our fleet to strike a balance. Though we have a good understanding with the private bowser owners, it is imperative that we have our own in sufficient numbers in case of an emergency.

We need to reduce costs and enhance efficiency through rail transport of fuel. We have added 27 more wagons to our fleet with the support of the CGR (Ceylon Government Railway). We maintain a bulk storage facility in Anuradhapura for distribution to the North. We have now procured six acres of land at Kankesanthurai for a proposed bulk storage facility to supply fuel to the North.

As the “bloodline of the nation”, it is our responsibility to ensure fuel supplies to all key segments of the economy, whether it is shipping, aviation, transport, power generation or industries. All of them depend on our service. We have to render an efficient and effective service to the nation to realize the President’s vision to make Sri Lanka prosperous.

Bringing greater efficiency to this sector even by a small percentage translates into a saving on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. It also has an impact on the trade balance and the economy as a whole.

Q: Was CPSTL able to achieve its target in terms of profits for 2020?

We were looking at a target of Rs. 1.6 billion, but even with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are optimistic of achieving Rs. 1.6 – Rs. 2 billion.

During the height of the Covid outbreak, we distributed hand and floor sanitizers free of charge to the police, armed services, health authorities and other key segments. During the general election, the Election Department made a big saving as we supplied the requirement of hand/floor sanitizers to polling booths.

At 42 years, Uvais Mohamed is the youngest Chairman to be appointed to the CPSTL. The brother of Justice Minister Ali Sabry, he is a management accountant with work experience in the United Kingdom, India and Bangladesh.


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A new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly – PM

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6 hours ago

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2026/03/16

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly and to regulate preschools through a regulatory authority.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing an awareness programme for preschool teachers in the Hambantota District on education reforms, held  on Sunday (15) at the Ambalantota Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium.

During the programme, preschool teachers briefed  the Prime Minister about the challenges they currently face. Responding to their concerns, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

“The issues within the preschool system cannot be discussed separately from the broader crisis in society and in the education sector. When we assumed office in 2024, our primary challenge was to free the country from its debt burden and to establish. a  sound economic indicators.

Although 2025 was a challenging year, we were able to bring the country’s economy to a certain level of stability and manage the national budget accordingly.

While we were working towards economic recovery, the war in the Middle East began, which has had certain impacts on our country as well.

A significant amount of Sri Lanka’s foreign remittances come from our fellow citizens working in the Middle East. Today, both their livelihoods and employment are under threat. In addition, a large number of tourists travelled to Sri Lanka through Middle Eastern airspace, and the closure of those air routes and airports has reduced tourist arrivals. Another issue concerns fuel transportation. This problem has affected not only Sri Lanka but many countries around the world. If the war continues for a long period, it will have further impacts on us, and therefore we must be prepared. We also need to manage the economy carefully and reduce certain expenditures.

Although we have the ability to borrow, our intention is not to weaken the country’s economy by relying on loans.

You are aware that we have begun implementing education reforms. Within that policy framework, we are also taking steps to reform preschool education. So far, the establishment of preschools and early childhood development has not been carried out in a systematic manner. Therefore, we must regulate and standardize all preschools, which is not an easy task.

First, all preschools must be formally registered. We have already prepared a curriculum for teacher training. In addition, we plan to introduce a new curriculum for preschools in 2027, provide teacher training accordingly, and regulate preschools through a regulatory authority. A recognized curriculum has also been prepared for the preschool diploma. In the future, priority for preschool teachers will be given based on these qualifications. We will also take gradual steps to enhance the professionalism of preschool teachers and establish a proper salary structure”.

The Prime Minister further stated that preschools fall under the authority of Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas, while the line ministry can only provide policy recommendations. She also emphasized that issues related to preschools should be addressed in a systematic manner through structural committees and District Development Committees.

Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi and other public representatives, along with preschool teachers from the Hambantota District attended the awareness program.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Be mindful of the accuracy of information before sharing it on social media – PM

Published

7 hours ago

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2026/03/16

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the weakening of public trust in information disseminated through the media is extremely dangerous for a society, and emphasized that people must be mindful of the truthfulness of information before sharing it on social media.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the “Sandeshaya” Media Awards Ceremony held on 14 March at the Kularathne Hall of Ananda College, Colombo. The event was organized with the aim of providing Sri Lankan school students with an opportunity to actively contribute to the national media discourse while promoting ethics, responsibility, and critical thinking.

During the “Sandeshaya” Awards Ceremony , lifetime awards granted only once in a lifetime were presented to distinguished veterans in the media field, while media awards were also presented to talented students in the school category. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Expressing her views further, the Prime Minister stated:

“We live in an era where information technology and the media are changing rapidly. Along with these changes, many opportunities have emerged, but we are also confronted with numerous challenges.

We must prepare our younger generation to live in a society and a world transformed by information technology and the media.

When we observe the changes taking place in the media today, we can say that the media and information have become democratized. In the past, access to knowledge and information was largely limited to privileged or powerful groups. The authority to communicate information and decide what should be disseminated was held by a small group. However, with the advancement of technology, this has changed dramatically. As a result of this revolutionary transformation, information, data, and knowledge have now become accessible to everyone. In that sense, it is a positive development.

At the same time, we are no longer merely media viewers or consumers. As citizens, we can also become media creators. Citizens now have significant space to engage with the media and share information. While this is positive in one sense, it also carries certain dangers. There are serious questions, issues, and challenges regarding responsibility and credibility in the dissemination of information. Today, information flows so rapidly that it is sometimes difficult to determine what is true. Making decisions has become increasingly challenging. Not only in our country but globally, there have been many instances where societies have been set ablaze due to misinformation or deliberately distorted information. We have witnessed numerous occasions where people’s lives have been destroyed as a result.

Sometimes, without even realizing it, we get trapped on the internet. We share various things through our social media platforms, both necessary and unnecessary. However, what we often forget is that a large amount of personal information accumulates on the internet through these actions. Once incorrect information becomes widespread in this way, it becomes extremely difficult to erase.

The spread of false information weakens public trust in the information provided by the media, and this is extremely dangerous for a society. For the sustainability of a society, it is essential to maintain trust among citizens and trust in the institutions that influence people’s lives. Only through the trust we can safeguard the sustainability, continuity, and security of a society.

However, what has happened today due to the spread of misinformation? We no longer have confidence in our leaders. We do not even trust elders. There is doubt about whether the news we receive can be trusted. When credibility weakens within a society, it can push that society into crisis.

Therefore, it is extremely important to cultivate a culture that strengthens trust in leadership, promotes confidence in elders, and enhances awareness about reliable sources of information. In this context, those entering the field of media carry a significant responsibility.

Just like the senior professionals we honored today, you too may one day enter this field. However, there is a vast difference between the era in which they entered the profession and the era you will enter. You will carry a unique responsibility to strengthen the credibility of the media and to stand firmly behind the information you present.

You must be able to stand by the information you provide. You must reflect on whether the information you share is true and who might be affected by it. Ensuring the credibility of the information you disseminate is also your responsibility.

Similarly, as users of any form of media, we all bear a responsibility to verify the reliability of the information we receive and to be aware of how to distinguish between truth and falsehood. That is why digital literacy and media literacy are essential. It is also for this reason that we believe such subjects and concepts must be incorporated into education reforms so that our student generation can learn them.’

The Prime Minister further stated that citizens have a responsibility to be mindful of the truthfulness of information before sharing content found on the internet and social media with others.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Anil Jasinghe, Principal of Ananda College D.M.L.P. Dissanayake, journalists, principals, teachers, and students.


(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts

Published

8 hours ago

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2026/03/16

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology  at 3.30 p.m. on 15 March 2026, valid for 16 March 2026.

The public is warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at
some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.


Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

 

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