News

Cabinet approval sought to expedite Trinco Oil Tank Farm project

Published

5 months ago

January 16, 2023

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Cabinet approval has been sought to lease a 7.8 hectare area of land to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with effect from Jan. 06, 2022, in order to expedite the development of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm while implementing the relevant Quadripartite Agreement.

The Cabinet memorandum in this regard was tabled on Dec. 23 last year by Minister of Power and Energy – Kanchana Wijesekara.

On Jan. 06, 2022, the government of Sri Lanka inked a quadripartite agreement on January 06, with India to jointly develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm. It was signed at the Finance Ministry with the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Lanka IOC and the subsidiary company Trinco Petroleum Terminal Pvt. Ltd. as the signatories.

In the subsidiary company named Trinco Petroleum Terminal Pvt. Ltd., established for the joint development of these 61 oil tanks, the CPC retained 51% while Lanka IOC held 49% of the issued shares of the joint venture company.

In parallel to that, the Commissioner General of Lands has leased a lot of land consisting of 24 oil tanks to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, while leasing another lot of land consisting of 14 oil tanks to the Lanka IOC PLC. In addition, a lot of land consisting of 61 oil tanks to Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt.) Ltd. for 50 years.

Further, two plots of lands where the oil pipeline system is located, is to be leased to the Lanka IOC for 50 years, by keeping the right of way to the CPC and the Trinco Petroleum (Pvt.) Ltd.

In addition, the plot where 14 employee quarters of Lanka OIC are located is also to be leased to the Lanka IOC for 50 years.

Meanwhile, ‘The Hindu’ newspaper has reported that during the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister – S. Jaishankar later this week, talks are expected on two possible MoUs – on the Trincomalee development project and the long-pending plan for a cross-strait transmission line that would allow Sri Lanka access to India’s plans for an energy grid along with other countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

“India is expected to give a positive response to Sri Lanka’s requirements, in keeping with India’s support last year as well,” the article had added, citing a source.

News

SL records highest export revenue last year

Published

1 hour ago

June 8, 2023

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The highest export revenue in Sri Lankan history, which was USD 13.1 billion, was recorded last year, Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

He said this when the Advisory Committee of the Ministry convened in Parliament recently.

The minister said that 22 car and three-wheeler assembling plants are currently operative in the country and through the restriction of imports, a great progress can be seen in the industries.

Many issues related to gems and jewellery, clay, cashews, cane and bamboo industries were brought to the attention of the committee by the MPs and the minister has given instructions to the officials including the ministry secretary to take immediate action in this regard.

The minister further said that industrial development will be carried out in 20 identified areas.

News

Family of pickpockets arrested!

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2023

editor

A man who got into buses with wife and three children and then stole mobile phones and wallets of passengers was arrested along with 5,200 milligrams of heroin, the Piliyandala Police said.

During the interrogation of the suspect, police found nearly 20 stolen mobile phones worth over Rs.1 million.

Piliyandala Crimes OIC IP Dinesh Hettiarachchi, who has been paying attention to several complaints received from youths and school children regarding the loss of mobile phones in buses, has arrested the suspect in Miriswatta based on CCTV footage.

A police officer said that the wife and three children were with the suspect at the time of his arrest, and the three children had started crying requesting not to take their father away.

The 33-year-old suspect, a resident of Pothupitiya in Wadduwa, failed to give a valid reason as to why he was in Piliyandala with his wife and children.

Investigations revealed that the mobile phones of school children and women in buses were stolen meticulously by the suspect along Route No. 138 Homagama-Pettah and Route No. 296 Piliyandala-Maharagama.

Police said that they were able to find the stolen mobile phones which had been sold at a very low price in Badowita, Mt.Lavinia and Pettah.

The suspect will be produced in the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court.

News

‘Murawatte Kabaraya’ hospitalized!

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2023

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A suspect, who was recaptured after escaping from the custody of the Kalutara Prison officers, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained after he banged his head against the iron door of the police cell, Panadura North Police said.

The suspect was identified as 32-year-old ‘Murawatte Kabaraya’, a resident of Koralawella, Moratuwa.

Police sources said that the suspect was arrested yesterday (07) by a group of officers of the crimes division.

He was admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital in a ‘Suwa Seriya’ ambulance.