Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
COLOMBO, May 19 (Xinhua) — Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody reiterated the country’s commitment to expanding energy partnership with China, calling it a “close friend” and outlining ambitious plans for cooperation in oil and renewable energy projects.
In an interview with Xinhua on Friday, K. Jayakody stressed that Sri Lanka is keen to expedite the implementation of key energy projects in cooperation with Chinese partners.
“We have a refinery project in Hambantota and we are in a hurry to start it,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka also wants to start some projects in the power sector, especially solar and wind energy. He said it is likely that the Sri Lankan government will look to China for support in these sectors.
K. Jayakody stressed that Sri Lanka is particularly interested in leveraging China’s advances in energy storage technology to improve the reliability and sustainability of its electricity sector.
The minister’s remarks came on Friday at the Open Day of the national Clean Sri Lanka programme. The event was held for the first time by China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) at a newly renovated petrol station in Nawala. The event was attended by senior government officials, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong and public figures.
The Clean Sri Lanka initiative launched by the new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to promote environmental sustainability and ethical standards throughout the country’s infrastructure.
At the Sinopec Open Day, some of the new products on display included improved fuel pumps, improved safety systems, fuel vapor recovery valves and clean toilets that are accessible to all.
The Chinese company is looking to improve not only infrastructure but also service standards, with island-wide training for station managers and petrol station attendants on safety, first aid and customer service.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong noted that the event not only showcased Sinopec’s achievements in clean, modernized infrastructure, but also the tangible benefits that bilateral cooperation brings to local people. –0–