Kanchana updates on coal, petrol procurements 

• Minister visits Sapugaskanda oil refinery, discusses quality of products 
• Says 350 MW Sobadhanavi LNG power plant will be operational next year 

The Power and Energy Minister announced that advance payment for the second consignment of coal was completed yesterday.

“Cargo procured by advancing the balance shipments from last year’s term tender,” he tweeted yesterday. 

In addition, he said the full payment was made for 35,000 tons of 92 Petrol cargo, which commenced unloading yesterday.

Minister Wijesekara also shared that he visited the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery on Thursday. “Discussed the quality of production, crude oil quality, crude oil procurement, refinery operations, distribution and expansion plans with the management and workers,” he added.

Earlier this week, allegations were levelled by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and the trade unions on the quality of crude oil imported.

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake claimed oil refined and distributed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation cannot be used for power generation, citing it had a higher content of sulphur.

Separately, the petroleum unions also alleged that the substandard oil products were a key reason for the ongoing power crisis.

Minister Wijesekera also visited the LTL-operated 300 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant and the ongoing construction site of the 350 MW Sobadhanavi LNG Power Plant on Thursday. 

He said following the breakdown at Norochcholai, Yugadanavi has fulfilled the requirements of the national grid. 

“Sobadhanavi will be operational next year,” he added.