Oil exploration second stage in February

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika range and Disna Mudalige

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday said in Parliament that the second phase of oil exploration work would commence in February next year.

The minister said the first phase of oil exploration has already been completed.

He said Cairn Lanka Pvt Ltd spent US $ 131 million on the first phase. Premajayantha said oil exploration activities are being carried out according to international standards.

The minister said data collection for oil exploration in the Eastern and Southern coastal belts has already commenced .

Premajayantha recalled how the UNP hastily changed the Standing Orders when an impeachment motion against former Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon was presented.

The minister said the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake would be dealt under the existing constitution adding that the existing constitution has been able to protect the sovereignty of the people and thereby earned the respect of the people. The minister made these observations while participating in the committee stage of the budget 2013..