Sri Lanka’s Sapugaskanda oil refinery to be closed due to forex shortage
The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will be closed from today (October 07) due to the shortage in foreign exchange for crude oil cargo, announced Sri Lanka’s Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.
He however said that there will be no shortage in refined products as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has adequate stocks of all fuel products.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has made available the weekly Forex requirements for refined products, said Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.
The minister said that the shortage of forex for payment of two Ural crude cargos already used at the refinery has led to the decision to close down the refinery.
As soon as adequate forex is available to CEYPETCO, the 100,000 metric tonnes of ESPO crude oil cargo in Sri Lankan waters for the last 10 days will be unloaded, he further said in a tweet.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka condemns Bondi Beach attack in Australia December 15, 2025
- Sri Lanka estimates USD 400 Million for railway reconstruction after Cyclone Ditwah December 15, 2025
- Large-scale drug trafficker arrested in Wattala with 21 kg of cannabis December 15, 2025
- Tragedy at Bondi Beach: Mass shooting at Jewish festival kills 15, injures dozens December 15, 2025
- India hands over medicines and dry food aid to Sri Lanka December 15, 2025
