Those in the present government prevented previous attempts to develop oil tank farm in Trincomalee: Vajira

By Yohan Perera  

Those in the present government have prevented three attempts made by previous governments to develop the oil tank farm in Trincomalee, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said.   

“Sri Lanka would have been able to stock more fuel if the oil tank farm in Trincomalee had been developed then. The country would have benefited no matter who owned the oil tank farm,” he told the media.   

“The first attempt was made in 2003. However, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) prevented it by spreading false stories about it. 

The second attempt was made in 2015, but that too was prevented by the same group. The third attempt was made in 2022, but it was prevented for the third time.   

“Sri Lanka would have been able to store more oil if these tanks were available. The country would have been able to face the fuel crisis in a more effective manner if the oil tank development project had gone ahead years ago,” he added.