Crude Shipment in SL waters for 53 days due to lack of US dollars

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A crude oil shipment that was ordered by Sri Lanka remains anchored in Sri Lankan waters for almost 53 days, due to non-payment for the cargo by local authorities.

A source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said as Sri Lanka is yet to make payments for two previous crude oil shipments, the vessel at the port has rejected the call to unload the shipment.

A crude oil shipment that was ordered by Sri Lanka remained anchored in Sri Lankan waters for almost 53 days.

A source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said Sri Lanka had made two previously purchased from the company that delivered the Crude Oil, and the payments are yet to be made for those two shipments.

Therefore, the vessel has rejected calls to unload crude oil in Sri Lanka until the payment for the two previous shipments is made.

The source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said Sri Lanka facing difficulties in sourcing US Dollars to make the payments.

The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery remains closed for weeks, due to the unavailability of crude oil