No approval granted for new oil refinery - Ministry spokesman

Petroleum Industries Ministry spokesman WPMP Roshan stated that no approval has been granted either to a local or foreign company to commence a new oil refinery, and no discussion has taken place in this regard.

He refuted media reports and a propaganda campaign of certain groups stating that the Lanka IOC had extended a proposal to construct a new oil refinery, stating that these reports are not true.

He stated that the government has not taken a policy decision to begin a new oil refinery except the Iranian project which was discussed in 2007.

“The CPC hopes to upgrade the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to improve its efficiency by obtaining a loan. Even after the upgrading, the ownership of the refinery would be with the CPC,?” he explained.

He said the CPC would be importing and distributing the crude and refined oil needed by the Lanka IOC as done at present.

“The government has not decided to obtain refined oil entirely from Lanka IOC and there is no necessity for such a move, “ he added.