• The first crude oil shipment is due on August 13 and the second on August 29

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

The Sapugaskanda oil refinery will resume operations from August 15 after the crude oil shipment arrives on August 13, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said yesterday.   

He told Parliament that the first crude oil shipment was due on August 13 and the second on August 29. Responding to a question raised by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, the Minister said there were issues in importing crude oil as International rating agencies have downgraded Sri Lanka.  

“We offered 10 tenders to import crude oil but 8 suppliers out of them did not proceed with the tender citing various reasons,” he said.  

Responding to another question raised by SJB MP Hector Appuhamy the Minister said supply of kerosene to the fisheries industry would begin and continue from August 15.  

He said supply of kerosene was limited during last month due to the closure of the refinery and since the operations are set to get underway, kerosene would be supplied continuously from August 15.