Sapugaskanda oil refinery expansion expedited

Suraj A Bandara

Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha directed the officials to complete the lands acquisitions for the proposed renovation and expansion of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery before June 30.

The Minister was addressing the Sapugaskanda Oil refinery expansion project officials at the Ministry auditorium yesterday.

He instructed the project manager and engineers to expedite the project and explore the possibilities to prevent any environmental hazards in executing the project plans. A feasibility report on environmental effectiveness should be prepared and approval of the Environmental Authority should be certified before the project implementation, he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Minister to take all steps to accelerate the project. He further said since the project feasibility report has already come to an end the Government is holding talks with the Iranian Government to release funds, the Minister further said.

Besides Iranian financial support, the Government is exploring new alternative ways and means to raise funds to complete the project soon.

According to President Rajapaksa's directives the renovation and expansion of Sapugaskanda Oil refinery would be completed soon, he said.

Almost 80 percent of land acquisitions have been completed, Project Manager Piyasena Ekanayaka said.