-By LeN Economic Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -16.May.2025, 11.00 PM) In a display of quiet ambition and strategic resolve, Sinopec, marked its most visible footprint yet in Sri Lanka with the formal launch of its “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative at the newly renovated Dilly Fueling Station in Nawala, Colombo.
The occasion, commemorated with an “Open Day” on 16 May 2025, saw dignitaries, diplomats, and government officials converging on the upgraded forecourt of the filling station—now a model outpost of Sinopec’s expanding vision for a cleaner, more customer-centric energy infrastructure across the island.
The event, co-hosted by local dealers Kumar Rajapakse and Dilruwan Rajapakse- Managing Director of the Sinopec Nawala Petrol Station , was not just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a symbolic gesture affirming Sinopec’s commitment to environmental stewardship and civic responsibility, as well as Sinopec’s contribution to Sri Lankan Economy.
Sinopec’s participation in the “Clean Sri Lanka” project—a national initiative launched under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration—marks a confluence of business and public policy, targeting improved sanitation standards and sustainable fuel station management.
The Nawala location is now the 14th filling station to be upgraded since Sinopec’s entry into the country. Modernised facilities include high-speed and precision fuel pumps, anti-static fire prevention systems, emergency shut-off features, and fuel vapour capture technologies. Most notable, however, are the revamped washroom facilities—an oft-overlooked but culturally vital public utility—which have been reimagined with accessibility and hygiene in mind, serving men, women, and differently abled individuals alike.
“The ambition is simple, but transformative,” said Wang Haini, General Manager of Sinopec Energy Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. “We believe a filling station must offer more than fuel—it should be a clean, safe, and dignified space. That’s the ethos behind our Open Day. We want the public to see, up close, what responsible infrastructure looks like.”
Gracing the event were several high-profile guests: Minister of Energy Hon. Kumara Jayakody, H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassdor to Sri Lanka, Western Province Governor Hon. Hanif Yusoof, and Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Secretary to the President's Clean Sri Lanka Programme. The presence of both Sri Lankan and Chinese representatives underscored the partnership resonance of the moment.
In a statement that echoed long-standing themes of bilateral cooperation, Ambassador Qi noted: “This project is not only a milestone for Sinopec but a tangible result of China–Sri Lanka friendship. It is proof that collaboration can yield benefits not just in theory, but in infrastructure that touches people’s daily lives.”
For Sri Lanka, emerging from years of economic instability and social unrest, the symbolic value of such private–public partnerships is immense. Speaking to media on-site, Energy Minister Jayakody framed the event in broader political terms: “The Clean Sri Lanka initiative is about more than facilities. It’s a reflection of our moral priorities—ethical governance, respect for citizens, and international cooperation for national upliftment.”
While infrastructure took centre stage at the event, the subtext was just as significant: Sinopec’s strategic investment in human capital. Through a national training programme, the company is now providing education for fuel station managers and pump attendants. Safety, fire response, first aid, and service etiquette are central themes in the curriculum—turning ordinary fuelling stations into microcosms of discipline and professionalism.
According to company insiders, this initiative aims to harmonise standards across all Sinopec franchised stations in Sri Lanka, creating not only consistency but also upward mobility for staff and dealer partners.
Managing Director of Dilly Fuelling Station, Dilruwan Rajapakse, voiced optimism. “Partnering with Sinopec has reshaped how we think about service and infrastructure. We’re no longer just selling fuel—we’re delivering dignity.”
If the Sinopec Clean Sri Lanka Open Day event signals anything, it is that Sinopec is here for the long term commitment. The company’s tone is not one of corporate triumphalism, but rather measured confidence—underscored by the decision to let the public walk the site, ask questions, and inspect the systems firsthand.
“We believe communication builds trust,” said Wang Haini. “This Open Day is the first of many. We want our network to become part of the social fabric in Sri Lanka—not just as a business presence, but as a trusted partner.”
-By LeN Economic Correspondent
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by (2025-05-16 17:49:49)
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