Pakistan has expressed its interest in oil and gas exploration in the seas off Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns.

At present Cairn Lanka (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of Cairn India, is engaged in oil and gas exploration work in the Mannar basin at the moment.

Following the success of two gas discoveries under the initial stage of exploration, Cairn also completed drilling of a fourth exploration.

However, studies are underway to ascertain whether the gas discoveries are commercially viable or not at the moment.   Meanwhile, Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq told the Daily Mirror during his two day visit to Sri Lanka last week that there was scope for further co-operation between the two countries in oil exploration and sugar processing-- two areas where Pakistan has the expertise.   

“We have brotherly relations. Yet, there is scope for further co-operation especially in sugar processing and gas exploration,” he said.

Already, Pakistan has teamed up with Sri Lankan authorities to invest in sugar processing. The visiting speaker held talks with Sugar Industries Development Minister Lakshman Seneviratne in this regard. (Kelum Bandara)