Sri Lanka to purchase oil from Iran on government to government deal

Sri Lanka is to purchase crude oil from Iran on a government to government deal, a Minister said today.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told Daily Mirror over the phone that he had a cordial discussion with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Minister said crude oil purchase is one of the key areas discussed,” he said.

“We discussed a range of bilateral issues aimed at strengthening the cordial bilateral relationship,” he said.

The Iranian Minister has promised to instruct his country’s ambassador in Colombo to follow up with the Sri Lankan line ministry to finalize the arrangements for crude oil imports.

“It is better to purchase fuel from Iran on a government to government deal. Then, we can transact without intermediaries,” Mr. Sabry added.

Trading with Iran is hampered because of US sanctions. (Kelum Bandara)