The financial assistance for the improvement of oil refinery facilities from Iran now hangs in the balance due to political turmoil in the Middle East, Parliament was informed today.

UNP MP Dayasiri  Jayasekara questioned the government about the delay in the implementation of the project for the improvement of oil refinery facilities in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance from Iran. Mr. Jayasekara said that the government laid the foundation stone for the project in 2008 when Iranian President visited Sri Lanka.

Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha replied that the government would implement the project. However, he said that there is uncertainty over financial assistance from Iran due to the political turmoil prevailing in the Middle Eastern region nowadays.

“We will look for alternatives in this regard as a result,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)