The Chinese energy giant Sinopec has requested an additional 200 acres of land to expand its planned oil refinery in Hambantota, bringing the total land requirement to 700 acres.
The Sri Lankan government has already allocated 500 acres for the project, which is part of a $3.7 billion investment, marking China’s largest-ever investment in Sri Lanka. However, Sinopec has now informed authorities that it requires more land to facilitate the full-scale development of the refinery.
The agreement for the refinery was recently signed in China, solidifying the deal between the Sri Lankan government and Sinopec, a move seen as a strategic expansion of China’s footprint in the country’s energy sector.
The request for additional land has sparked debate over land allocation policies, with concerns about sovereignty, environmental impact, and long-term economic implications of large-scale foreign investments in Sri Lanka’s critical infrastructure.
Is this for a oil refinery?
Or is it for a military base?
I do hope the SL goverment asks people in Sri Lanka who actually know the nuts and bolts of reservoir construction, operation and management for advice before they committ the nation.
Absolutely