Udaya Gammanpila, Minister of Energy has stated that there is a risk that the Sapugaskanda oil refinery runs the risk of being closed down again from January 3.

Although there is no possibility of obtaining crude oil for cash, the Minister said that they are trying to obtain crude oil on credit and that they should apply 90 days in advance to obtain the fuel used in Sri Lanka.

"If not, the refinery will have to be closed for 20 days from January 3 to 23," he said.

"However, there is no risk of a fuel shortage as a continuous supply of crude oil has been guaranteed from January 23," he said.

Gammanpila said that about $ 360 million is needed monthly for fuel imports, adding that the challenge of finding the dollars needed to buy fuel has reached its peak.

He said that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and independent power companies owed them 96 billion rupees and SriLankan Airlines 65 billion rupees to the CPC.