Sri Lanka, April 23 -- Sri Lanka, which is planning to purchase crude oil from Russia, has agreed to settle payments in Chinese Renminbi (RMB), newly appointed Energy Minister Aruna Karunatilake said.

He was sworn in as Energy Minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake after Mr. Kumara Jayakodi stepped down pending investigations into alleged fraud and irregularities in the import of coal for power generation.

The new minister assumed duties on Tuesday. Speaking to *Daily Mirror*, he said his immediate focus is to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel and electricity as the country grapples with the fallout from the Middle East conflict.

The minister said fuel stocks have been secured to ensure an uninterrupted supply until the en...