Sri Lanka has begun negotiations with Moscow to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and modernize the refinery to enable the use of Russian oil in the South Asian nation, according to a media report on Monday.
In an interview with state news agency Tass, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Shobini Gunasekera said negotiations began after Sri Lankan Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody visited Moscow in October to attend the 2025 Russian Energy Week forum.
She underlined that Sri Lanka wants to transition to clean energy due to the impact of climate change on the country and that LNG is one of the options Colombo is considering.
"Sri Lanka is interested in cooperating with Russia, and we've already begun this dialogue. I can't tell you whether this will yield any results right now. But the process is certainly underway, and let's hope something comes of it," she was quoted as saying by the news agency.
However, she added that no agreements have been signed, but negotiations are ongoing, and a proposal has been submitted.
"The Sri Lankan State Oil Corporation is currently in talks regarding both LNG and the modernization of the refinery to enable the use of Russian oil," Gunasekera added.
The Sapugaskanda Refinery is the only oil refinery in Sri Lanka that was built in 1969 by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
By Kanyshai Butun
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
