Indian Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is visiting India to participate in Indian Economic Summit.

Oil Minister Pradhan discussed various Indian proposals, including utilisation of Upper Tank Farm by Lanka IOC (LIOC) in Trincomalee, setting up of LNG terminal at Kerawalapitiya, near Colombo by Petronet LNG Ltd, setting up of City Gas Distribution network by GAIL and use of CNG in the automotive sector in Sri Lanka, with Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as local partner. Government of Sri Lanka is working towards promoting the use of clean fuel in Sri Lanka, including for power generation.

Pradhan also discussed exploration activities in Mannar basin and participation of Indian PSU on nomination basis.

The minister further discussed LIOC activities in Sri Lanka, including increasing number of its Retail Outlets and bunkering operations and granting license to LIOC for marketing ATF and LPG.

Both sides also discussed refurbishing Sapugaskanda refinery and possibility of setting up of a refinery in Sri Lanka. Sh Pradhan expressed India’s commitment to work with Sri Lanka to develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub.

(Energy Infra Post)