Former Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of taking undue credit for the redevelopment of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex, asserting that the project was completed during his tenure in 2022. Addressing a press conference at the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party headquarters, Gammanpila stated that the President’s recent claims were not only misleading but also an attempt to repackage the hard work of the previous administration.
Gammanpila explained that when he assumed office as Energy Minister in 2020, the Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex had been mostly neglected since it was handed over to India in 2002. Of the 99 tanks in the complex, only 14 were in use by the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), while the remaining 83 tanks had been unused and decaying for 75 years.
After a year of intense negotiations with Indian authorities, an agreement was signed on January 6, 2022, to reclaim the unused tanks and divide responsibilities for their redevelopment. The deal allocated 24 tanks to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for domestic use, while a new joint venture company, Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd., was established between the CPC and LIOC to develop the remaining 61 tanks. This initiative aimed to position Sri Lanka as a hub for international oil trade, utilizing the storage potential of the Trincomalee facility.
The former minister highlighted that renovation work on five of the tanks had already begun during his tenure, with completion expected within a month. “The current Minister of Energy merely inspected one of the tanks we had started renovating and is now claiming it as a new achievement,” Gammanpila remarked.
He also noted that the Ministry of Energy had published a comprehensive report titled “Oil Tanks Back to the Country” in 2022, detailing the history and progress of the project. Gammanpila urged President Dissanayake to refer to this document to understand the groundwork laid by the previous administration. “If the President had read this report, he wouldn’t feel the need to make such inaccurate claims,” he said.
Gammanpila also criticized the current administration’s handling of national projects, accusing it of appropriating initiatives launched by previous governments. He pointed to similar instances, including the oil refinery project initiated by former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera and the revival of the Hingurana Sugar Factory under Minister Janaka Wakkumbura, which he claimed were falsely presented as new accomplishments by the current government.
“The Malima government appears to have a habit of claiming others’ achievements as their own,” Gammanpila quipped. “It’s time for them to focus on initiating their own projects instead of taking credit for the hard work of others.”
The former minister reminded the public that the National People’s Power (NPP) party, which now leads the government, had strongly opposed the Trincomalee agreement in 2022, citing concerns over national security. Gammanpila recalled engaging in public debates with NPP representatives to counter their criticisms and ensure the project’s progress.
“It is ironic that the same party that accused us of jeopardizing national security by partnering with India is now showcasing the project as their own success,” he said. “Their actions speak louder than their words. They opposed us, yet now they reap the benefits.”
Gammanpila also took aim at the government’s unfulfilled promises regarding energy and electricity. He accused President Dissanayake of misleading voters during the presidential campaign by promising to reduce electricity bills by one-third in a “very short period.” Four months into the administration, Gammanpila noted, the reduction had not materialized until public pressure and defeats in cooperative elections forced the government to act. The Public Utilities Commission eventually recommended a 20% reduction, which the government implemented.
“The President promised a one-third reduction but delivered only 20%. It’s clear that this government responds only when faced with electoral backlash,” Gammanpila said. “The credit for this reduction goes to the voters who dealt the Compass party a crushing defeat in the cooperative elections.”
Gammanpila concluded by urging the government to be transparent about its achievements and avoid misleading the public. “It’s essential for the government to maintain integrity and give credit where it’s due,” he said. “The people of this country deserve honesty, not political theatrics.”
The press conference also featured remarks from Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Central Committee Member Nuwan Akalanka and Moratuwa Electoral Organizer Kumara Rajaratne, who echoed Gammanpila’s sentiments and called for greater accountability from the current administration.
