Blocks will be offered around the island ranging from the Western coast and curving over the north towards the East, in the Mannar basin and part of the Cauvery basin that is in Sri Lankan waters.
Wickramasuriya said "eight to ten" blocks may be offered in the bidding round that could be kept open till around April to May 2013.
Sri Lanka's Petroleum Development Secretariat has also called for offers to re-process existing data and gather new information from aerial surveys on a 'multi client' basis from specialist firms.
Wickramasuriya said responses had been received and the company would be selected soon.
Under 'multi client' process, the company will sell the data to prospective bidders.
Sri Lanka has also found evidence of petroleum off the Southern Hambantota coast, but that block may be offered following further surveys.
India's Cairn Energy has found evidence of gas and condensate in two wells dug in the sole block awarded in the first round of bidding.
In Feb