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Verbal battle over Trinco oil tank farm

Published

3 years ago

2021/10/7

By Saman Indrajith

A tense situation prevailed in the House, yesterday, with the government and Opposition MPs being engaged in a verbal battle over the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.

A heated argument erupted when Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella raised concerns about the statements made by the Energy Minister on the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.

MP Kiriella said that the 15 oil tanks had been given to India and others reserved to be jointly developed by the IOC and Sri Lanka. “I was shocked to hear a statement by the Energy Minister that all oil tanks had already been given to India. There are 100 oil tanks of which 15 have been given to IOC.

There are 85 others to be developed jointly by Sri Lankan and the IOC. That did not happen,” MP Kiriella said.

SJB Kegalle District MP Kabir Hashim said that LIOC kept the oil tanks illegally and the government could have reacquired the oil tanks between 2005 and 2015 period.

MP Hashim also demanded to know from Minister Gammanpila whether the government would reacquire the tanks now. “The government is lying. Do not mislead the House. It is an MoU that we are talking about. It was agreed that MoU would go for a fully-fledged agreement after six months but that did not take place. Therefore, the LIOC is holding on to the tanks illegally. In 2005, you made an election pledge to take them over, but did not fulfil. After ten years in 2015, the LIOC was given space and permission to construct a lubricant plant. The tanks could have been taken back. It could be taken over even now. What I am asking is whether you will take it back or not.”

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila challenged the Opposition Members to table the MoU at issue.

Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella: “Eighty five tanks have not been given to India. They have been referred for joint development.”

MP Hashim: “If you are saying there is an agreement. Table it in the House so that people could know. After seeing the agreement we can accept what you say here.

Galle District SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that State Minister Susil Premajayanth had in a TV talk show revealed the truth the previous day. The energy minister was lying. Their statements were contradictory.

State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera asked Minister Gammanpila whether there was a clause on a condition of going for another agreement in six months.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the agreement in question was not a permanent one, and it was a lease agreement and would be tabled in Parliament. “There is no point in arguing this matter. I will table the official agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Trincomalee oil tanks today,” the Minister said.

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Our government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

Published

4 hours ago

2025/03/15

Priyan

“Women play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. Yet, despite their immense contribution, structural barriers continue to limit their full participation in the economy. Our government is committed to breaking these barriers by fostering an inclusive economic environment where women can thrive as business leaders, entrepreneurs, and exporters.” Said Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing the launching the She Trades Sri Lanka Hub funded by the UK’s She Trades Commonwealth+ Program held at Galle face Hotel in Colombo on March 14 organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

While addressing the audience, the Prime minister stated, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. Emphasizing gender-inclusive policies, financial inclusion, and access to global markets, authorities are prioritizing support for women-led businesses in key sectors such as ICT, agribusiness, and engineering.

A new initiative will establish 200 women-led cooperatives, fostering supportive environments for female entrepreneurs. Additionally, efforts to strengthen childcare, elderly care, and disability services aim to reduce the burdens that limit women’s economic participation.

A dedicated platform has been launched to provide women entrepreneurs with knowledge, networking, and international trade opportunities. Strengthening public-private partnerships and expanding global market access are key strategies to create an inclusive and sustainable trade ecosystem.

By equipping women with the necessary skills, financial resources, and digital trade access, the government aims to ensure that women entrepreneurs become key drivers of economic growth, aligning with broader policies for inclusive and sustainable development.

The event was attended by Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Officials from the International Trade Center and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe and Officials from Export Development Board and International Trade Centre and woman Entrepreneurs.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Batalanda Commission report tabled … finally

Published

10 hours ago

2025/03/15

Thilina Walpola

by Saman Indrajith

TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.

Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.

Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.

Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.

The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.

The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.

Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.

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COPE finds fake documents submitted for emergency procurement of drugs

Published

10 hours ago

2025/03/15

Thilina Walpola

The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.

This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.

Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.

He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.

“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.

He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.

Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.