11 June 2021 05:35 pm
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, in response to JVP’s criticism of the proposed US$3 billion oil refinery project, said the project cost had been estimated in the pre-feasibility report.
He said ‘being opposed to everything at every time is the cornerstone of the JVP’s political ideology.
“The feasibility study was done by the experts in the oil refinery industry. As far as I know, JVP MP Vijitha Herath and former MP Wasantha Samarasinghe are neither chemical nor mechanical engineers. They have not at least worked as labourers at a refinery facility. I ask the JVP not to expose their ignorance by talking about subjects alien to them,” he said.
According to the report, the Minister said it would cost US$ 2.5 billion to refine 100,000 barrels of crude oil. Besides, it will cost another US$ 250 million for the renovation process of the present refineries.
“I have been in politics for 21 years and held different positions in the government and have not been accused of taking commissions even by my political rivals. But, the JVP leaders are accused of receiving cash inducements from the UNP MPs. Some people claimed that the JVP took money from former UNP MP Malik Samarawickrama. I ask the JVP not to go by its own leaders when assessing my work,” he said