Govt. to build 25 new oil tanks in H’tota

By Ifham Nizam

Plans are underway to construct 25 oil storage tanks in Hambantota and Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has asked a team of experts to identify land and obtain approval of the Urban Development Authority, according to an a senior official close to the Minister.

The official told The Island that the refurbishment of the 25 tanks in Trincomalee would cost more than Rs. 2,000 million and it would also take more than 36 months to complete repairs.

Recently Minister Amaraweera sought the intervention of India High Commission to Sri Lanka to have 25 out of 99 oil tanks currently under Indian Oil Company returned to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

The Commissioner said that since LIOC did not come directly under the Indian government and the matter would have to be taken up with the company.

Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Guptha, contacted for comment told The Island that government to government discussions were on due to the strong bond of the two nations.

The IOC acquired 99 tanks -15 lower and 84 upper tanks on a 35-year lease in 2003..

The storage capacity of the Trincomalee Complex is one million tonnes.

A state official said only 15 tanks at the farm were utilised.