• Sri Lanka should make use of its diplomatic ties to get its international debts rescheduled
• The refinery has never been shut down during any crisis in the past

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The Government should have made use of its diplomatic relationships to resolve the fuel crisis rather than shutting down the refinery, a government State Minister said yesterday.  

 State Minister Susil Premajayantha who was speaking during the second reading debate on the budget said the refinery was never shut down during any crisis in the past.  

“There was an energy crisis in the early 1970s during the time Dr.N.M. Perera was the Minister of Finance in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government. Sri Lanka used its diplomatic ties and sought the assistance of friendly countries. Mrs. Bandaranaike used her diplomatic ties when USA withdrew its support after fuel supply companies such as Shell were engaged in energy sector in this country and formed the CPC.” the State Minister said.  
Also he said Sri Lanka should make use of its diplomatic ties to get its international debts rescheduled. “It is possible to address our macro-economic problems through micro economic solutions,” he said.   

• In the early 1970s during the time Dr.N.M. Perera was the Minister of Finance in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government. Sri Lanka used its diplomatic ties and sought the assistance of friendly countries.