TRINCOMALEE: The strategic port city of Trincomalee is set for a major transformation as the UAE, India, and Sri Lanka join forces under a new trilateral agreement to turn it into a regional energy hub.
In a landmark move, the three nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on major infrastructure and energy projects in Sri Lanka. The aim? To boost the island nation’s energy security and make Trincomalee a key player in South Asia’s fuel logistics.
The MoU was signed by senior officials from all three countries, with the UAE represented by Ambassador Khaled Nasser AlAmeri, India by High Commissioner Santosh Jha, and Sri Lanka by Energy Secretary Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala.
The plan includes upgrading the Trincomalee Tank Farm, launching bunker fuel supply services, and possibly building a brand-new refinery. To execute these ambitious projects, the UAE’s AD Ports, India’s IOCL, and Sri Lanka’s CPC will form a Joint Venture Company.
Adding fuel to the momentum—literally—is the proposed construction of a bi-directional petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka, designed to enhance energy logistics and regional fuel flow.
UAE Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi called the deal “a commitment to long-term resilience and shared prosperity.” India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri echoed the sentiment, calling it a “strategic milestone” that deepens the India-UAE partnership while strengthening Sri Lanka’s future.
This MoU reinforces the UAE’s wider vision of building strong international alliances focused on energy stability, economic growth, and regional integration. Trincomalee, with its deep-water port and strategic location, is now poised to become a critical hub for energy in South Asia.
