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Loss of vital byproducts of refinery having devastating impact on other sectors: FSP

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/20

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.

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PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London

Published

21 mins ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.

Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.

Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.

Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya meets Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/21

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.

The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Suspects involved in sureties controversy granted bail

Published

16 hours ago

2026/05/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kapila Chandrasena

Airbus bribe case:

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva yesterday (20) granted bail to Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan, who allegedly received money to stand as sureties for the late former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena. They were identified as residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, situated next to the Hulftsdorp court complex.

Chandrasena was found dead at his brother-in-law, Aravinda De Silva’s residence, at No. 38, Pedris Road, Kollupitiya, on 8 May.

The Magistrate also granted bail to B. A. Tissa and Perumal Ganesh, who arranged for Riswan and Irshan to stand as sureties for Chandrasena, who is under investigation for allegedly receiving a USD 2 million bribe through his wife to facilitate an Airbus deal. They, too, residents of Sanchi Arachchi Watta, were granted bail on two personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each.

Airbus had to pay USD 4 billion in penalties after admitting it had paid huge bribes to secure contracts in 20 countries. Sri Lanka is among them.

The Magistrate directed that the Grama Niladhari should certify their residence and the relevant certificates submitted to court and to establish the financial status of those who stood as sureties for the four persons.

The court was told that Mohamed Riswan and Mohamed Irshan obtained 17 Grama Niladhari certificates from January till May 2026. On the basis of a statement recorded from Keselwatta Grama Niladhari S. Nilantha Silva police informed court that the first suspect had obtained 10 certificates and the second person seven.

Fourth suspect Ganesh had first met those who stood as sureties, on 05 May, in the court premises and struck the deal. Crime OIC of Keselwatta Police, Sub Inspector K.W.D. Anuruddha, told court that Mohamed Riswan, Mohamed Irshan and B. A. Tissa hadn’t even known who Chandrasena was and were not related to him in anyway, according to investigations. Police requested that the four persons be further remanded.

The Magistrate granted them bail and set the next hearing for 25 June.

Legal sources said that such illegal practices were rampant, and in this particular case the Court Registrar should have been able to see that the sureties were very much unlikely to be relatives of Chandrasena.

By Shamindra Ferdinando