• Tenders opened for crude and refined oil

Sri Lanka is unable to utilise Iran’s offer to supply fuel due to the absence of its own tanker fleet, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Responding to queries at the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday (24), Dr. Jayatissa said that while countries with tanker capacity could benefit from the offer made by Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, Sri Lanka currently lacks that advantage.

Expressing appreciation for the offer, he said the Government was nonetheless unable to proceed due to logistical limitations.

However, he noted that steps have already been taken to secure fuel supplies through alternative means, with several tenders opened for crude and refined oil imports.

“We opened another tender on Monday (23),” he said, adding that based on the tenders issued so far, several fuel shipments are expected to arrive in the country next month (April).

“Regarding the oil supply from Iran, countries that own tankers are in a position to benefit. We do not have that advantage. We appreciate the statement made, but we have already placed orders for bunker fuel and light fuel oil. Tenders have been opened, and we expect these supplies,” he said.

He added that another tender was scheduled to open yesterday, and that the anticipated arrivals in April would help manage the country’s fuel requirements.