Total oil requirement to be refined locally
 

by Rajmi Manatunga

Steps will be taken to refine the total oil requirement of Sri Lanka locally, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said.

Addressing employees of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation during a visit to the Sapugaskanda oil refinery the Minister said this measure would relieve the country of heavy expenses incurred in importing refined oil.

"Out of the total oil requirement, only 60 per cent is refined at the Sapugaskanda while the remaining 40 per cent is imported. If we could refine the total oil requirement locally it would save the country large amounts of foreign exchange," he said.

The Minister also said that the proposal to build a private oil refinery close to the present Sapugaskanda refinery will not be implemented without consulting the employees.

"The Cabinet proposal to this effect has been withheld for reconsideration.

However, the views of employees will definitely be taken into account if the proposal is forwarded again," he said.