Govt. determined to create country’s own gas supply by 2020: Champika

Tuesday, 10 March 2015 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka says the Government is determined to stop gas imports and meet the country’s gas requirement locally.

Addressing an event in Anamaduwa, Ranawaka said that while gas deposits have been found in the Mannar Basin, the Government is looking at getting the gas to Norochcholai and distributing it to Colombo through the sea route. “Our goal is to end the era where we imported gas from foreign nations and to create our own gas supply within the country by the year 2020,” Ranawaka said. Cairn Lanka, a subsidiary of Cairn India Ltd., which carried out oil drilling operations in the Mannar basin, found two natural gas deposits. The Minister also noted that the mega deals and other games that were rampant in the Power and Energy Ministry during the previous regime would not be allowed under the current Government. Ranawaka vowed action against corruption at his ministry and affiliated institutions.