Lanka to seek Iran’s help for oil search
By Nalaka Nonis
Sri Lanka is to seek Iran’s assistance for oil exploration, barely two weeks after Colombo voted in favour of a resolution against Iran at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie who is to leave for Iran today to attend the Regional Cooperation Union Trade Forum of Indian Ocean Countries said he would seek Teheran’s assistance in oil exploration efforts in Sri Lanka at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart. The Minister said the Sri Lankan Government had explained its position to the Iranian envoy in Colombo on the IAEA vote and assured Teheran that Sri Lanka would reconsider its position if there was any further move to penalise Iran over its nuclear programme.

Mr. Fowzie said Sri Lanka voted for the resolution because it was only aimed at referring Iran’s case to the United Nations.
Sri Lanka maintains close relations with Iran and its government last year offered a US $ 150 million credit line to Sri Lanka.

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