Connect with us

News

Talks on with foreign envoys to replensish Lanka’s oil stocks

Published

on

Minister Gammanpila seeking Ambassaor Hashem Ashjazadeh’s intervention

The forex-strapped government is seeking to secure uninterrupted crude oil supplies on a long term payment plan.

The Energy Ministry yesterday revealed that Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has discussed the possibility of working out such agreements with the Colombo-based senior Iranian and UAE diplomatic staff.

Energy Ministry Secretary K. D. R. Olga, Chairman, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Sumith Wijesinghe and Deputy General Manager Mahendra Garusinghe participated in separate talks the leader of Pivithu Hela Urumaya Gammanpila held with Iranian and UAE diplomats on Monday (23).

Minister Gammanpila is expected to meet other embassy officials.

The talks took place in the wake of the recent arrest of retired petroleum sector trade union activist Ananda Palitha, who created panic buying by warning of an impending fuel shortage.

Minister Gammanpila recently told The Island that the disruption of tourism, drying up of foreign investments and sharp drop in foreign remittances by Lankan expatriate workers hindered Sri Lanka’s efforts to raise USD 3 bn required for annual fuel imports. The minister said that as a result of accumulated losses amounting to Rs 331 bn, the CPC was already a bankrupt enterprise.

During Eelam War IV, Sri Lanka secured an unprecedented agreement with Iran to ensure crude oil supplies at terms extremely favourable to Sri Lanka. M. M. Zuhair served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Teheran at that time. But that arrangement was torpedoed when US sanctions on that country. (SF)



Latest News

PM receives blessings of the Sangharaja of Thailand

Published

on

By

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who is on a three day visit to Thailand received the blessings of His holiness Somdet Phra Ariya vangsagatayana the Sangharaja of Thailand.

Continue Reading

Latest News

PNS ‘SHAHJAHAN’ arrives at port of Colombo on official visit

Published

on

By

The Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) ‘SHAHJAHAN’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (02nd June 2023) and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

PNS ‘SHAHJAHAN’ is a 134.1 m long Frigate which is manned by a crew of 169 and is commanded by Captain ADNAN LAGHARI TI.

During the ship’s stay, the crew will take part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, with a view to promoting cooperation and goodwill between the two navies. They are also expected to visit some of the tourist attraction in the country.

PNS ‘SHAHJAHAN’ will depart the island on 04th June and  is expected to engage in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lanka Navy ship off Colombo.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Incoming and outgoing U.K. Defense Advisers call on Commander of the Navy

Published

on

By

The incumbent Defense Advisor at the U.K. High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Paul Clayton and his successor Colonel Darren Woods, visited the Navy Headquarters on Thursday (01) for a farewell and introductory office call with the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

After welcoming the visiting U.K. Defense Advisors at the Navy Headquarters, a cordial discussion was held between the two parties on several matters of bilateral importance.

Continue Reading

Trending