The Sri Lanka Embassy in Tehran is working out
avenues of obtaining supplies of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from leading gas producer Iran
at prices concessionary to world market prices.
The Mission’s initiative follows instructions
given by President Mahinda Rajapakse to Minister of Trade
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle to look for
long term supplies of gas on advantageous terms.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic
of Iran Mr. M. M. Zuhair, following the Sri Lankan Trade
Minister’s recent visit to Tehran for the Sri Lanka-Iran Joint
Economic Commission meeting is learnt to have reported positive
response from Iranian suppliers of LPG for long term supplies to
Sri Lanka to be contracted at special prices that would be
advantageous to Sri Lanka.
Iran is the world’s second largest producer of
Gas and the fourth largest exporter of Oil. The petrochemical
industry of Iran is enjoying creditable performance in the
international scene utilizing modern technology and innovative
management techniques.
India, Pakistan and Iran are working on a gas
pipeline that would guarantee supplies to the sub-continent from
Iran, across Pakistan.
Ambassador Zuhair said: "We are keenly and
actively following on the Sri Lankan President’s initiative.
Obtaining regular gas supplies at reasonable prices is on the
government’s agenda, because gas is an essential requirement in
every Sri Lankan household. However, obtaining at concessionary
prices is a challenging task. Iranian exporters have shown
interest on long term contracts with infrastructure facilities
to be provided by Sri Lanka. We are keenly working to obtain
supplies on special terms".
If Colombo will set-up the necessary facilities
for regular transhipment supplies from Bandar-Abbas Port in the
Gulf, Iranian supplies on attractive terms could be assured,
Iranian companies have told the Sri Lankan Ambassador.
The Sri Lanka Mission is working closely with
Colombo and experts from Colombo need to visit Tehran to work
out the details, it is learnt. (Alert News Agency)
