Siberian crude oil imported for Sapugaskanda; acquisition done in LKR-USD

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera says that the Sapugaskanda refinery will resume operations with the utilization of a Siberian crude oil.

Speaking at a press briefing held today (28), the Minister said that they were able to start the unloading of crude oil for the Sapugaskanda refinery which was closed on the 20th of March.

He also said that it took a prolonged effort to complete the acquisition of the crude oil tanker, as for the first time, Rupees were deposited into an account to be converted into US Dollars, with the intervention of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance.

Pointing out that it is the first time Sapugaskanda has dealt with another type of crude oil that was imported for the refinery, the Minister said that the refineries aim to produce about 1,000 metric tons of diesel daily in a few days' time.