A senior delegation from China’s Sinopec Group has assured Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath that the proposed Hambantota oil refinery project will be fast-tracked.
The ten-member delegation, led by Sinopec Vice Chairman Liu Liangong, met Minister Herath at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (October 15) to review the project’s progress and address outstanding issues.
Estimated at US$3.7 billion, the refinery is expected to produce up to 200,000 barrels of oil per day once completed. Vice Chairman Liangong expressed gratitude for Minister Herath’s role in resolving long-standing challenges that had delayed the project for years, noting that the project agreement was successfully signed in January this year with his support.
During the meeting, Liangong highlighted remaining obstacles affecting the project’s launch and requested the Minister’s intervention for their early resolution.
Minister Herath emphasized the positive impact of such foreign investments on Sri Lanka’s economy and assured the delegation that he would personally oversee the resolution of the pending issues. Following the discussion, both parties agreed to commence the project without further delay.
The Sinopec delegation is also scheduled to engage with the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Board of Investment (BOI), and other relevant institutions to advance the project.
