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Lanka seeks long-term credit line from KSA to procure oil

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/7

Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed initiates talks

Special Envoy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed has entered into discussions with the Saudi government, seeking Riyadh’s collaboration with Colombo, for a five-year credit line of US $ 6 billion per annum for the supply of fuel, on a government to government basis as a long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, sources disclosed.

Minister Ahamed as special envoy also proposed Saudi investments in Sri Lanka for manufacturing fertiliser, constructing petroleum storage facilities, establishing fuel supply stations, modernising and expanding the refinery, opportunities in mining minerals and promoting renewable energy.

During the meeting with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Al Khuraiji, in Riyadh, last week, Minister Ahamed intimated President Wickremesinghe’s desire to invite the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Sri Lanka at his convenience. A possible visit of President Wickremesinghe to Riyadh, prior to the Saudi ruler’s visit to Sri Lanka, had also surfaced in the discussions, sources said.

At the meeting with Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al Mushaiti, Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Special Envoy and Environment Minister Ahamed referred to the role of coconut peat in the 10 million trees project of the Saudi Green Initiative and the possibilities of the Saudi Ministry investing in a coco-peat venture in Sri Lanka, and also setting up a fertiliser manufacturing project, that may help Sri Lanka achieve self-sufficiency in food. The Ministers followed up with a visit to the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) which produces fertilisers, industrial polymers, triple phosphate fertiliser and petrochemicals. ‘SABIC’ had responded with its readiness to supply Sri Lanka’s requirements, on a government to government basis, or to the private sector.

The Sri Lankan Minister also called on the Saudi Development Fund. Its CEO, Dr. Sultan Al Marshad said that the Fund is principally a development partner in projects and a lending agency. They would take a flexible approach, if invited for the meetings relating to the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s loans with other lending nations and entities, and that the Fund’s participation can benefit Sri Lanka.

The Special Envoy also visited the ACWA Power headquarters, in Riyadh, an entity which had made investments worth US $ 2.4 billion, in Uzbekistan, on 22nd August, this year, on a 1.5 GW wind farm project, and invited the group to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. ACWA Power had already indicated interest in investing, in the range of US $ 600 to 800 billion, in Sri Lanka.

According to an internal report, received by the government from Riyadh, the Arabic speaking Environment Minister of Sri Lanka, “an alumnus of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral, in Riyadh, had received considerable recognition during all his engagements with the Saudi establishments, widening considerably the scope for cooperation between the two countries”.

The Environment Minister was in Saudi Arabia, from 28 August to 1st September, and was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, P. M. Amza, and other officials. The Minister is understood to have briefed the President and the Cabinet on Monday.

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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara

Published

48 mins ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.

Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.

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Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya

Published

55 mins ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.

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Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.

The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).

Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]