The reason to expand the Complex became necessary after it was realised that the aviation fuel storage facility at the katunayake airport was not able to meet present demands.

Presently the storage facility at Katunayake can accommodate 7.8 million letres of aviation fuel which lasts a mere three to four days thaat has caused a crisis.
In the year 2000 the storage of fuel at the Katunayake facility lasted between seven to eight days.

Currently fuel is transported to the Katunayake facility by road and rail.

But present demands are expected to rise further thereby nudging the Petroleum Corporation to go in for expansion.