PRDS brought under Petroleum Ministry

Suraj A Bandara

The Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) that was functioning under the Presidential Secretariat has been brought under the Petroleum Ministry.

The Secretariat was established under the Petroleum Resources Act No. 26 of 2003. It was established under the Petroleum Resources Agreement for oil exploration activities in the Mannar basin.

The Secretariat which came under the purview of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry at the outset was attached to the Presidential Secretariat in April this year.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought PRDS under the Petroleum Ministry on Monday.

Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha received the same portfolio in the new Cabinet. He said the exploration activities of the Manner basin will start in the first quarter of next year.