… talks with Moscow cover fresh coal supplies

Eksath Janaraja Peramuna leader Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday (01) said that Sri Lanka would not be able to secure oil from Russia before the reimposition of US sanctions on Russian oil. The former Minister said so at a joint Opposition media briefing in Colombo. He said it wouldn’t be possible to import Russian crude before the 12 April deadline.

Deputy Russian Energy Minister Roman Marshavin was here last week to discuss how the Russian Federation could help Sri Lanka meet its energy needs.

Sources familiar with the challenges faced by Sri Lanka, due to the disruption of crude/gas/refined products supply lines, said that the country’s only refinery needed crude to ensure the operation of the facility.

According to the Energy Ministry, during discussions with the delegation, led by Deputy Minister Marshavin, Sri Lanka was offered refined petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, in addition to crude oil. The discussions also covered the procurement of coal from Russia, according to the Ministry.

In 2025, the NPP government reached an agreement with an Indian supplier to bring in coal from South Africa. However, low-quality South African coal has caused a severe crisis due to the country’s only coal-fired power plant at Norochcholai failing to generate at the required levels, parliamentary sources said, referring to a report submitted by the CEB to the Parliament.

Meanwhile, informed sources said that there had been some discussions between Sri Lanka and India regarding the proposed move by the NPP government to procure oil directly from India.

Ranawaka said that of the six promised crude ships, four wouldn’t be coming, regardless of assurances given by the government. He alleged the government was trying to deceive the public that power cuts were inevitable due to continuing drought but the truth is the low-quality coal that caused the crisis. The recently announced electricity tariff hike, too, was due to the coal fraud, he alleged. (SF)