News
CPC veteran: Frequent shutdowns will ruin precious oil refinery
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery should not be shut down and restarted from time to time, former Senior Deputy General Manager and Acting Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Cyril Suduwella told the media yesterday.
He said that such interruptions might damage the operating systems of the oil refinery.
The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has the capacity to process 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the plant should operate continuously for two years, Suduwella said.
“After two years, we can close it down for a few days for maintenance. That is how the refinery has functioned for 40 years (This was commissioned in the 1960s). If shut it down from time to time, it may develop defects, and repairs will be extremely expensive.”
Suduwella said refining crude oil in Sri Lanka was the most economical way for the country because by-products of refining are also vital for many industries. Apart from diesel and petrol, products such as kerosene, burnt oil, jet fuel and furnace oil are produced during the refining process, he said.
“Without these by-products, many industries will go into crisis. When the refinery was established, the government made colossal profits. Refineries are a lucrative business. We must expand the plant so that we can refine 100,000 to 150,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The plant also severs as a training centre.
NPP, SJB and SLPP won’t have parades
The ruling party National People’s Power (NPP) will celebrate May Day at Galle Face Green in Colombo. However, the NPP wouldn’t have a parade, party sources said.
The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government in 2023 made Galle Face Green off limits for political rallies. But the incumbent government lifted the restrictions in November 2024.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will have its May Day rally at Talawakelle town. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 pm with the participation of SJB’s coalition partners, including Digambaram, Mano Ganesan.
The SLPP, too, decided against having a parade this time though it will hold a rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.
The SLFP will hold its May Day event at its headquarters on Darley Road.
The Navy on April 28 carried out post-event maintenance efforts at Kandy Lake, following the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.
The collaborative efforts of the officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Archaeology and the Navy ensured the preservation of the lake’s natural beauty.
(Pic courtesy Navy media)
The Presidential Media Division (PMD) said yesterday that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had received an assurance from the head of the South Asia Division of the European Union (EU), Charles Whiteley during a meeting that the European Union would positively consider extending the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka in its review.
The EU delegation, which arrived on Monday (28)., will be here till May 7. The EU delegation said the team would take stock of progress on the fulfilment of conditions linked to the granting of GSP+ trade preferences.
Political, Press, and Information Section of the Delegation said: “This is part of the regular biannual monitoring to which the Government of Sri Lanka has committed in order to benefit from GSP+. The Mission will meet government officials, relevant institutions, politicians, civil society, business associations, trade unions and will also make site visits.
Sri Lanka is one among eight low- or lower-middle income countries benefiting from the GSP+. This is a special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance that is open for vulnerable developing countries that have ratified 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and climate change, and good governance. The effective implementation of these 27 conventions is monitored with biannual missions and reports.”
Major May Day rallies in Colombo and Talawakelle
Navy cleans up Kandy Lake
EU delegation positive about extending GSP+ concessions
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