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By JAYANTHI LIYANAGE

Shri Ram Naik, Cabinet Minister of Petroleum and Gas, Government of India, will be in Sri Lanka when Lanka IOC, the fully-owned local subsidiary of India's state refinery Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), launches on May 28.

Minister of Power and Energy Karu Jayasuriya will preside over the launching ceremony to be held at the BMICH at 2.30 p.m. Later, at 3.45 p.m., IOC's first Sri Lankan outlet will be inaugurated at Slipto Agencies, Maligawatte.

Minister Naik, assuming office in 1999, has been the longest-serving Minister since a separate Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was created in 1963. His recovery from cancer is said to have given him a new lease of life to serve his nation. Widely respected for his honesty, competence and eye for detail, he is credited with liquidating a waiting list of 1 crore 10 lakhs, giving 3 crore 50 lakhs new connections and introducing 5 kg cylinders for families of lower income groups. His plans to overcome India's dependence on imports for 70% crude oils includes blending petrol with ethanol, a by product of sugar, to be used as transport fuel.

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