There is intense lobbying for LNG use, but it has been resisted by engineers at the state-run power utility Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), who want priority for coal plants to get the cost of the utility down.
"LNG is a matter under consideration by CEB," power ministry secretary M M C Ferdinando told reporters.
"Because there is a MOU (memorandum of understanding) signed with the Japanese government for doing a study.
"Once the study is carried out only we will take a decision whether to go for LNG as a technology."
In January 2009, the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka's investment promotion agency said it had given tax concessions to Lanka Aloka, a company set up to take forward the LNG plant.
Arc Developments, an Australian consultancy was hired to bring in international funding.
But in March, the Australian firm pulled out