Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that no agreement had been finalized on the construction of Indian oil pipelines during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to India.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Department of Government Information yesterday (20), the Minister addressed concerns about alleged agreements, categorically dismissing reports of any finalized deals regarding Indian oil pipelines in Sri Lanka as false.
However, Herath confirmed that a proposal to establish a multi-product pipeline for affordable and reliable energy supply involving India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been discussed. An agreement was reached to continue discussions on this initiative.
The India-Sri Lanka joint statement, issued following President Dissanayake’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, emphasized the need for reliable and affordable energy resources to ensure energy security.
According to the statement, both leaders agreed on several energy-related initiatives, including:
- Advancing the solar power project in Sampur and expanding its capacity to meet Sri Lanka’s needs.
- Exploring proposals for LNG supply from India to Sri Lanka, the establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection, and offshore wind power development in the Palk Strait with a focus on environmental protection.
- Collaborating on a multi-product pipeline project involving India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to enhance energy affordability and reliability.
The joint statement underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and prioritize timely implementation of ongoing projects.
