Moves to uplift petroleum industry

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will uplift the petroleum industry to meet future demands, said Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha addressing the media at the ministry recently.

"The number of flights arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport has increased. The Petroleum Corporation will enhance oil supplies and storage facilities of the airport," the minister said.

He said the CPC laid new pipelines to supply oil to the Mattala airport.

A new pipeline will be laid to transport oil stocks from the Colombo Port to the Kolonnawa oil storage.

Construction of houses for unauthorised dwellers on the land where the pipelines are laid has commenced.

Eighty four houses are being built under the first phase of the project.

"Court orders have been received to demolish 410 houses. Though they are unauthorised dwellings, the government will not demolish them without providing new houses," the minister said.

The CPC will increase oil transportation by trains to enhance transportation efficiency and reduce the cost. A foreign delegation will arrive in Sri Lanka to introduce new technology to examine the quality of oil stored at fuel stations, he said.

The minister said the CPC will establish new fuel stations considering the recommendations of the Moratuwa Engineering faculty.

The CPC will issue oil only for fuel stations with recommended facilities to provide the best service for consumers.