New Kolonnawa oil tanks expected to be operational within a year
The government is looking to bring a newly constructed group of oil storage tanks at the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex into operation within one year, Minister of Ports, Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka said.The Minister made the remarks yesterday (21) during an inspection visit to the Kolonnawa terminal of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), where he reviewed the progress of the ongoing tank construction project.
Construction of six new oil storage tanks at the Kolonnawa complex commenced on September 17, 2025, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.Officials told the Minister during a progress review that construction is currently 40–45% complete and that the project is expected to be ready for operations by September 2027.
The project, which aims to increase Sri Lanka’s fuel storage capacity and strengthen energy security, has a total estimated cost of Rs. 3.7 billion.
It will add six new tanks to the complex, comprising three tanks with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres each, two tanks with a capacity of 7,000 cubic metres each and one tank with a capacity of 5,000 cubic metres. The project will therefore provide an additional storage capacity of 64,000 cubic metres. The project also includes improvements to supporting infrastructure, including the oil recovery system, development of new filling facility zones, and the construction and rehabilitation of oil pipelines using modern technologies.
New facilities for employees and officials are also planned, including a building with modern facilities for officers in charge and an engineering office building.
