Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that this was taken due to a foreign exchange shortage for crude oil stocks.
However, because the Petroleum Corporation has adequate stocks of all products, the Minister says that there will be no shortage of refined petroleum products.
The Minister said that the Central Bank has provided forex requirements for the refined products.
It’s been decided to close the refinery due to the shortage of dollars tonpay for the 2 stocks of crude oil that’s already being used in the refinery.
As soon as Ceypetco can get adequate foreign exchange, landing of 100,000 metric tons of ESPO crude oil which is in Sri Lankan waters for the last 10 days could be done.
