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Energy Minister claims successful conclusion of discussions with Indians

Published

5 years ago

2022/01/1

Sahan Weerasooriya

Trinco Bunkering now given to IOC – FSP

Trinco oil tank farm

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that discussions with India on regaining the control of the Trincomalee oil tank farm had concluded successfully and that 14 oil tanks in the Trincomalee oil tank farm would be leased to the LIOC for another 50 years. Gammanpila added that LIOC had been controlling the tank farm since 2003.

Twenty four oil tanks would be given to CPC and the remaining 61 managed by Trinco Petroleum Terminals Ltd., a joint venture between LIOC and CPC, Gammanpila said.

“We have regained control of the Trinco oil tank farm. This is a historic victory. Trinco Petroleum Terminals Ltd. will be run by us. COPE and Parliament has control over it,” he said.

However, the Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Pubudu Jayagoda said that the government had agreed to sell the bunkering operations at Trincomalee to IOC. The government was to sign two agreements with India, he said.

“One is the agreement to hand over to India 14 oil tanks that the IOC is using, the pipelines used to carry fuel and the bunkering operation. IOC will get these infrastructure for 50 years, and the government will lose a lot of foreign revenue as it loses the bunkering operation,” he said.

According to Jayagoda, the second agreement will be on the establishment of Trinco Petroleum Terminals Ltd., a joint venture between LIOC and CPC. Commenting on Minister Gammanpila’s claim that most of the Directors of the Company would be appointed by CPC and that 51% of shares would be owned by the CPC, Jayagoda said that the agreement was similar to the one signed with New Fortress Energy.

“We only sold 40% of the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant shares to New Fortress Energy, but they still control the entire operational aspect of the power plant. Likewise, although IOC only owns 49% of Trinco Petroleum Terminals, they are in charge of the operations. We have given them the best tanks, situated at the lower levels of the tank farm, and the pipelines that transports oil. So they are in control of the tank farm,” he said.

The FSP Education Secretary also asked whether Minister Gammanpila would reveal the specifics of the 24 tanks that have been earmarked for CPC. There were about 20 tanks that couldn’t be used and it was likely that those tanks will be given back to the CPC, he said.

“Minister Gammanpila says that these agreements are a great victory because the Sri Lankan flag will be displayed in the tank farm. This is akin to selling your house because you have no money, and claim that the new owners have agreed to display the portrait of your grandmother in the living room. We have agreed to sign a disastrous agreement with India because of our forex crisis and soon they will have a land at a strategic location in the country,” he said.

Jayagoda also alleged that the Minister had also made a number of false statements about the previous agreements on the tank farm. Despite the Minister’s claims, there was no formal agreement to hand over 14 tanks to India in 2003, he said. An MoU was signed and but a formal agreement was never executed.

“So, IOC was holding these tanks illegally. However, when this agreement is signed it will formally have these tanks. The Minister also claims that the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka accord earmarked these tanks for Indian use. However, the agreement only states that if we develop these tanks with a foreign partner that partner will have to be India. So Gammanpila is bending facts,” he said.

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UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

3 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

8 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

News

We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

10 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.