Oct 31, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the officials of the petroleum authority to streamline the work at the country's sole refinery at Sapugaskanda and immediately import fuel in order to assure an uninterrupted fuel supply for the country.

During a discussion with officials of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Electricity Board at Temple Trees Tuesday, the President has told the officials to continuously meet the fuel requirements of the people avoiding delays.

The officials have discussed the high expenditure government is incurring for fuel imports and power generation. It has been pointed out during the discussion that government is incurring massive losses by providing fuel and electricity to the public at concessionary rates.

The President has discussed measures to reduce losses and instructed the officials to find ways to overcome the problem.

Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Dinesh Gunawardena, Basil Rajapaksa and Patali Champika Ranawaka, Secretary to the Finance Ministry Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, secretary to the Petroleum Ministry Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge and several senior Government officials were present at this meeting.

(Photos by Nalin Hewapathirana)