Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) and Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake said Sri Lanka must maintain a consistent foreign policy regardless of changes in diplomatic representatives or governments.
Speaking in an interview with ceylonwire.lk, Karunanayake emphasized that self-respect and decisiveness are essential when conducting the country’s diplomatic affairs.
Commenting on reports of oil reserves discovered in the Gulf of Mannar and preparations to invite bids from potential investors for their extraction, he said the country should carefully consider its long-term energy strategy.
Karunanayake noted that discussions about oil exploration tend to resurface whenever there is a change of government, but argued that greater attention should be given to renewable energy and the investment opportunities associated with it.
He said Sri Lanka should consider whether it can make greater use of its own renewable energy resources or continue depending heavily on oil imported from the Middle East.
The MP also questioned why the country remains vulnerable to what he described as an “oil mafia” instead of moving more decisively towards renewable energy.
