Dissanayake vows to transform Trinco oil farm into international storage facility

Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to refurbish the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm and convert it into an international oil storage facility.

In his economic policy, which was revealed today (Oct 21), Dissanayake said he would refurbish the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, and also construct a new refinery to transform Sri Lanka into a main regional supplier for petroleum products.

He said he was looking at the possibility of generating more revenue from fuel tankers which would pass Sri Lankan waters as a result of a short shipping routes created owing to the Thailand’s Kra Canal.

The JVP backed National People’s Power (NPP) candidate pledged to remove Value Added Taxes (VAT) imposed on imported essential goods such as food and medicine.

He said he would limit imports which were “unnecessary”, in a bid to boost the local production sector.

Another key economic promise he made was to set-up 100 factories across all districts, along with three milk production factories in Kilinochchi, Ampara and Hambantota.

Dissanayake added that he would establish a new ministry to oversee small and medium scale enterprises.

On the topic of loans obtained by the country, the candidate said he would hold talks with lenders to extend the repayment period and obtain concessions to ease the repayment process.

He said he would waive off all loans obtained by SriLankan Airlines and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to smoothen operations of those organisations.

Further, Dissanayake stated that his government would exempt micro-finance loans from interest rates unapproved by the Central Bank, and settle approved interested amounts of individuals who had obtained such loans.

The NPP candidate pointed out that a special authority would be set-up to investigate cases of sexual abuse which had taken place as a result of failure to repay micro-finance loans.

He also pledged to increase the monthly Samurdhi allowance upto Rs 10,000 and provide employment for graduate holders, and those who had passed the O/L or A/L exams, in families benefitting from the allowance.