Ministerial committee to decide on LNG plants, refineries and cement plants

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has appointed an eight-member ministerial subcommittee to “draft an overall policy” on constructing, locating and operating Liquid Natural Gas plants, refineries and cement plants.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who chairs the CCEM has named Special Assignment Minister Sarath Amunugama as the Chairman. Other members are Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Petroleum Resources Minister Chandima Weerakkody, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

It was noted at a recent meeting of the CCEM that Sri Lanka had made commitments to three countries namely India, Japan and China regarding the construction of LNG Power plants.

With regard to the location of an LNG terminal, the minutes of the CCEM meeting in question point out that a “decision was to be taken.” It was noted that a Joint Cabinet Memorandum on this matter will be submitted by the Ministers of Power and Renewable Energy, Petroleum Resources Development and Ports and Shipping.

This is the first time the CCEM has begun appointing Cabinet subcommittees to go into key issues. They were earlier the sole responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers.

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