The Government has urged the public to reduce fuel consumption, avoid peak energy-demand periods and shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric vehicles, as Sri Lanka moves towards cleaner energy sources.
Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka said controlling fuel prices alone would not be sufficient to strengthen the country’s energy security, stressing that reducing consumption was equally important.
“As a country, we must focus not only on controlling fuel prices but also on controlling fuel consumption. The public also has a major responsibility in this regard,” he said.
The Minister made the remarks yesterday at the commencement of construction of new petroleum infrastructure at Muthurajawela.
He said Sri Lanka was undergoing an energy transition in which electric vehicles and solar power would play a key role, while urging consumers to change their energy-use patterns, avoid periods of high demand and make greater use of electricity.
The Government expects to add 1,200 megawatts of solar power capacity to the national grid by 2029 as part of its renewable energy expansion programme.
Construction has also commenced on a new Jet A-1 aviation fuel pipeline and storage complex, along with three new petroleum storage tanks at Muthurajawela.
The Jet A-1 project includes five storage tanks with a combined capacity of 92,000 cubic metres and a 21-kilometre underground pipeline connecting the Muthurajawela complex with Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
Meanwhile, the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited is constructing three additional tanks at Muthurajawela, which will increase the country’s petroleum storage capacity by a further 40,000 cubic metres.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who attended the event, said the Government aimed to maintain a strong state presence in the energy market while ensuring an efficient service to the public.
