News
Loss of vital byproducts of refinery having devastating impact on other sectors: FSP
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Byproducts of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery such as furnace oil, jet fuel, kerosene and naphtha are vital for many Sri Lankan industries and its shutdown will have a devastating impact on various sectors, Frontline Socialist Party’s (FSP) Education Secretary, Pubudu Jayagoda says.
Jayagoda said Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila had stated that importing refined petrol and diesel was much more economical than purchasing crude oil.
“We do not have crude oil because the country doesn’t have dollars. The CPC floated over five tenders and there were no international sellers who wanted to supply us crude. In fact, sellers had not responded to the coal tenders floated by Sri Lanka and this might lead to a power shortage at the beginning of next year,” he said.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been able to generate a significant portion of electricity with hydropower because of heavy rains, he said adding that by January 2022, the people might have to experience several hours of power cuts, Jayagoda said.
“Sri Lanka spent a significant amount of money on oil imports. In 2019, when a barrel of crude oil was selling at around USD 69, we spent about USD 3.67 billion to import oil. In 2020, we spent about USD 2.32 billion because the price of a barrel of crude oil dropped to about USD 45. Right now the price of a barrel of crude oil is about USD 80, and we will spend about USD 4 billion this year. There are some who believe that the price of a barrel will go up to USD 120 by the end of 2022,” he said.
Jayagoda added that while Sri Lanka had no control over world crude oil prices, there were several ways that the CPC could improve the situation through long-term planning. In 2020, there was a significant drop in oil prices and Sri Lanka could have kept a buffer stock, he said. There are oil storage tanks in Muthurajawela and Trincomalee. However, instead of renovating the tanks in Trincomalee, the government is planning to sell them, he said.
“Fifteen oil tanks in Trincomalee have been given to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on lease. However, the agreement expires at the end of the year, and we can take them back. However, the government not only plans to give them back to the IOC, but they are planning to place over 70 tanks under a company that India has a majority stake in. An understanding was reached on this during the recent visit by the Indian Foreign Secretary. The ‘talks’ were so successful that the Indian delegation took some photos opposite the tanks,” Jayagoda said.
The FSP Education Secretary said that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery had not been expanded since its inception. Even without any funds to develop its infrastructure, the refinery played a significant role in supporting many industries, he said.
“So, around 60% are byproducts of refining are furnace oil, black oil, jet fuel, kerosene and naphtha. The CPC makes a lot of money by selling them. By mid-1990s, the CPC had been able to pay for its crude oil imports by selling the byproducts. However, successive governments have ruined this sources income. The fact that the CPC still makes money from them shows that there are cash cows,” he said.
Jayagoda said that ultimately the government would end up spending more dollars importing furnace oil, jet fuel, kerosene, and naphtha. This is akin to the disaster created by banning the import of urea, he said. Although the government saved some money by bringing a halt to import of urea, it spent a large amount of dollars importing compost, potassium, and nitrogen.
“A number of state and private companies depend on the byproducts of refining. Earlier the CEB bought black and furnace oil from the CPC. Now, it’s planning to import them. We will probably do the same with kerosene, naphtha and jet fuel. The question is whether we have dollars? If the CEB can’t purchase these products that will affect the production of 200 MWs of electricity,” Jagoda said.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 below 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.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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