News
CEB thermal power plants being shut for want of fuel
Sapugaskanda refinery to be closed again
By Ifham Nizam
Four turbines of the Sapugaskanda 72 MW power station A ceased to function due to a shortage of fuel yesterday. However, temporary measures were taken to run the power station B instead.
A senior management official of the Power Ministry said that Barge Mounted Power Plant at the Colombo Port too had failed to function due to a fuel shortage.
Plans are underway to go for emergency power purchases during the next six months, senior management of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.
The Island learns that Power Minister Gamini Lokuge and Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera had lengthy discussions on the issue, but CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando was not present.
CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga, contacted for comment, told The Island that coal stocks would be sufficient till September.
Fuel stocks are available only up till 10 January.
Ranatungha said the good news was that the demand had not increased unlike in the previous year, and the furnace fuel stock was sufficient until 24 January.
He said that if the CEB could not provide funds to make payments to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, it would face a serious issue where thermal power generation was concerned.
Over the past few weeks, the CEB had also battled with several breakdowns.
A senior official stressed that it would take around 45 days for oil tankers to arrive here. “Emergency power suppliers can generate electricity for a day or two with the available feul stocks, but beyond that the situation will become precarious” he added.
The CPC has increased the fuel prices –Heavy fuel from Rs. 70 to Rs. 110 and Nepatha from Rs. 74 to Rs. 84.
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery would be temporarily closed from 03 January, 2022, due to the shortage of foreign exchange to purchase crude oil.
Although the refinery is expected to resume its operations before 30 January, 2022, but 22222222222some claimed that it would take more time.
The Singapore-based energy and commodities company which was awarded the long-term contract to provide crude oil here is slated to commence supplying petroleum from 26 January, the Energy Ministry said.
During the procurement process, the relevant company should be informed 90 days in advance to purchase Murban Crude Oil used at Sapugaskanda refinery, the ministry explained.
It added that the shortage of foreign exchange had hampered the plan to buy alternative crude oil for emergency use.
Therefore, purchasing crude oil on credit had become difficult as Sri Lanka’s credit ratings were falling, a ministry official pointed out.
He, however, said there would not be a fuel shortage due to the refinery’s temporary closure, as it met only 14% of petrol and 29% of diesel requirements of the country.
The announcement came a month after Sri Lanka temporarily halted the operations at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery on 15 November in a bid to save foreign exchange.
However, the CPC has made it clear to the CEB that it cannot provide fuel on credit any further.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said that the CEB was expected to pay Rs. 91 Billion to the CPC within two years.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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