Business

The Darker Side and the Light at the end of the Energy Tunnel

Published

6 years ago

2020/12/27

Eng Parakrama Jayasinghe

Those of us who were hoping for some sanity to emerge in the energy sector were given a severe jolt on Dec. 15 on reading the press release from the Presidential Secretariat, presumably after the Presidents meeting with the Ministers and senior officials of the energy sector. This stated that His Excellency had given instructions to develop action plans to achieve the target of 70% contribution to the electricity sector by 2030 using Hydro, Solar Wind and LNG resources.

This was indeed a shock, as this portends an attempt to constrain the space available for the future development of true renewable energy, thus scuttling the President’s declared target.

Fortunately, good sense has prevailed and an amended press release appeared next day without the reference to LNG as part of the 70% R E Target by 2030. It is also a matter of comfort to listen to the recordings of the above meeting, where the president was very clear in his instructions citing only Hydro, Wind and Solar as the renewable energy sources. But it is a matter of concern to us why Bio Energy which has none of the impediments of Solar and Wind, but has multiple spin off benefits, and has all the attributes of a source of firm power available 24/7 throughout the year, continues to be ignored. Fortunately there is an interest to accelerate the implementation of the many stalled renewable energy projects, thus setting the country on the correct path.

Role and Acceptability of LNG

Natural Gas is certainly not a renewable energy resource. But is it a “Clean” source of energy? Certainly it is a lot “Cleaner” than both coal and oil and is free from some most toxic components such as sulfur, lead, mercury and a plethora of heavy metals and radioactive nucleoids present in coal. But it will certainly emit

* 50% of carbon emissions compared to Coal not zero carbon as in case of Solar and Wind

* Significant amounts of Oxides of Nitrogen

* Potential fugitive emissions of Methane prior to combustion which is 23 time more potent than Carbon Dioxide.

In Sri Lanka’s context, what is even more important is the fact it is an imported resource subject to the vagaries of price fluctuations and the parity rate of exchange, continuing to compromise our energy security. LNG is the lesser evil, and in the light of the CEBs reluctance accept the vast strides in technology which has made it possible for both wind and solar to be upgraded to firm sources of electricity generation, and due to the lack of any significant additions to the generation capacity for over five years, limited use of Natural Gas may have to be viewed as an interim option.

Questions Needing Urgent Answers

However, a very severe uncertainty of the source and the means of supplying the LNG necessary to operate the 300 MW LNG plant remains unresolved, and appears to be ignored, according to the information available to the general public. Sri Lanka escaped a potential disaster by not proceeding with an unsolicited proposal to set up a Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) and a contract to supply LNG for 20 years on terms totally disadvantageous to us. But the million dollar questions remains unanswered:

1. What is the means of supplying LNG to the proposed 300 MW power plant at Kerawalapitiya?

2. Under whose control will such supplies, presumably from an FSRU operate, and which is the location chosen?

3. If the gas supplies are not available by the time the power plant is commissioned, will the plant be operated with diesel or some other oil and for how long?

4. What will be the extra cost of using such alternate fuels and who will bear the extra cost above the tendered price of Rs 14.85 per unit?

5. In the absence of any plans of resolving such issues, is the government still pursuing options for more LNG plants with India and Japan and now with the USA?

With such a plethora of unanswered questions, even assuming that Sri Lanka will be obliged to proceed with the first 300 MW LNG plant, at least as a means of avoiding any more ruinous emergency power options, isn’t it time to take a very close look at the need or the justification for any further use of LNG ?

As usual Sri Lanka has missed the bus in this instance too. If the first LNG plant was initiated and a viable means of supplying the LNG was initiated in 2016, we could have avoided depending on emergency power for at least two years up to now, and it would have improved the space for greater level of integration of Solar and Wind to the national grid and the consequent reduction of the huge losses incurred by the CEB annually.

Hope for the Future

But on a happier note, the world did not stand still, and technologies are now available to iron out variability and seasonal and diurnal nature of wind and solar energy . For example the State Minister is keen to launch the 100 MW Solar park at Siyambalanduwa and a further 100 MW of solar and 150 MW of wind power in Pooneryn very early. It is very likely that all these projects will generate electricity at costs less than Rs 10.00 per unit. Therefore the addition of adequate battery storage is feasible to at least serve the peak loads as well as to make them sources of firm power. The resultant cost may not surpass the Rs 14.85 per unit expected from the LNG plant.

A place for Prosumers and Electricity as a National Industry

In addition the innovative program of State Minister Duminda Dissanayake to provide 5 kW rooftop solar systems to 100,000 Samurdhi recipients without burdening the treasury is a major paradigm shift in the electricity sector whereby the smallest level of consumer becomes a generator of electricity for his own consumption with a significant surplus and thus becomes a PROSUMER whereby the Electricity Industry becomes a contributor to the GDP instead of being a mere facility for other sectors to grow. With a total of 1.6 Million Samurdhi recipients, the future potential for growth of this program is immense

As a further step in this direction the program to install micro Solar Parks of 100 kW linked to 10,000 distribution transformers will make the Electricity generation a national industry adding further to the GDP. These two programs would add 1,500 MW of Solar PV and create vast employment opportunities.

We earnestly request Minster Dulles Alahapperuma and State Minister Duminda Dissanayake to very seriously evaluate this possibility. This will enable the president to plan for the next goal of 100 % RE

E Mail parajayasingle@gmail.com

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Business

CMTA urges action on government revenue leakage of Rs.40 billion

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/12

Thilina Walpola

Seated (L to R): Lakmal De Silva Chief Officer, Vehicle Sales, David Pieris Motor Company (Lanka) Ltd; Mahen Thambiah, Chairman, Kia Motors Lanka Ltd.; Gahanath Pandithage, Managing Director, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO); Andrew Perera, Chairman, Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA.; Nalin Welgama, Chairman, Ideal Motors (Pvt) Ltd.; Charaka Perera, Group Chief Operating Officer, United Motors Lanka PLC; Tarindra Kaluperuma, Director, Stafford Motors (Pvt) Ltd.; and Jawahar Ganesh, Group Managing Director, Associated Motorways (Private) Limited

The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA), established in 1919 is the most senior automotive association in Sri Lanka affiliated with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is calling for greater consistency, transparency and fairness in the policies governing the country’s automotive sector, stressing that a sustainable vehicle import framework must ensure a level playing field across the entire industry.

The Association’s concerns come at a time when the automotive sector continues to operate under significant fiscal and regulatory pressures, with recent policy measures, including the introduction of a 50% surcharge on vehicles, adding further complexity to an already challenging market. While the CMTA recognises the Government’s need to manage foreign exchange, generate revenue and regulate vehicle imports responsibly, it believes that such measures must be structured in a manner that does not disproportionately disadvantage legitimate businesses or distort competition between different segments of the market.

At the centre of the Association’s concerns is the continued application of a blanket 15% depreciation on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of used vehicle imports for duty calculation purposes. The CMTA maintains that this mechanism creates an unintended advantage for certain used vehicle imports, particularly when vehicles entering Sri Lanka as used units can be virtually identical to brand-new vehicles in terms of model, specification and, in most cases, mileage.

The Association estimates that the existing depreciation mechanism resulted in approximately Rs. 40 billion in lost to government revenue in 2025 alone. Without corrective action, a similar level of revenue leakage could occur in 2026, representing a significant loss at a time when government revenue remains critical to strengthening public finances and supporting national development.

The issue, the CMTA emphasises, is not about restricting consumer choice or opposing the used vehicle market rather, it is about ensuring that vehicles entering the country are assessed fairly and consistently, based on their actual value and circumstances. When two substantially identical vehicles can attract different levels of taxation simply because one has been registered overseas before being imported, the Association believes the resulting disparity warrants policy reconsideration.

The CMTA argues that the same principle of fairness should also apply when considering the impact of newer fiscal measures, including the recent 50% surcharge. Such a substantial additional cost can have implications across the automotive value chain, affecting vehicle prices, consumer affordability, business viability and the broader ecosystem supporting vehicle sales and after-sales services.

Business

Dilip de S Wijeyeratne Deputy Chairman

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/12

Thilina Walpola

Dilip de S Wijeyeratne, Deputy Chairman, Sampath Bank PLC

Sampath Bank PLC announced the appointment of Dilip de S Wijeyeratne as Deputy Chairman, effective 10th September 2026, further strengthening the Bank’s leadership as it advances its strategic priorities and continues to evolve as a purpose-led, technology-enabled financial institution.

Wijeyeratne brings extensive experience across banking, finance, risk management and compliance, investment banking and treasury, complemented by a strong understanding of corporate governance, strategic planning and financial markets. His breadth of experience and forward-looking perspective will support Sampath Bank’s focus on translating purpose and strategy into sustainable growth, while advancing data-driven decision-making and the intelligent application of artificial intelligence across the organisation.

Wijeyeratne’s association with Sampath Bank spans nearly eight years. He joined the Bank as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director in November 2018 and was appointed an Independent Director in August 2019. He subsequently served as Senior Independent Director from May 2022 and continued as an Independent, Non-Executive Director from June 2026. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board Audit Committee and contributes to the Bank’s Sustainability, Human Resources and Remuneration, Treasury, Strategic Planning, Nominations and Governance, and Related Party Transactions Review committees.

A senior finance and banking professional and principal consultant,Wijeyeratne provides advisory services to organisations across the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Australia. His professional career includes senior roles with HSBC Group in Bahrain, where he held responsibility for finance and operations, global markets and treasury, corporate treasury sales and asset and liability management. He subsequently moved into entrepreneurship and advisory services, providing financial and strategic consultancy to private and public sector organisations.

In addition to his responsibilities at Sampath Bank, Wijeyeratne serves as Senior Independent Director of Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC and Hayleys Fibre PLC, and as an Independent, Non-Executive Director of Janashakthi Insurance PLC. His extensive governance experience across these institutions has provided him with broad exposure to financial oversight, risk, strategy and corporate governance.

Wijeyeratne is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His combination of financial expertise, governance experience and strategic insight positions him to make a significant contribution to Sampath Bank’s continued growth and transformation.

Business

KOKO and Ceylinco Insurance introduce Sri Lanka’s first medical insurance offering

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/12

Thilina Walpola

KOKO, Sri Lanka’s leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform, has partnered with Ceylinco General Insurance to introduce Sri Lanka’s first customised medical insurance offering designed exclusively around the needs of KOKO customers.

The partnership marks a first for Sri Lanka’s fintech and insurance sectors, bringing together Ceylinco General Insurance’s decades of expertise in health insurance with KOKO’s understanding of its customer community to create a medical protection solution built specifically for the digital lifestyle and financial needs of KOKO users.

Unlike a standard health insurance product adapted for a partner platform, this offering has been developed as a customised value package for KOKO customers, focusing on accessibility, affordability and ease of activation within the digital journey they already use. The policy provides medical insurance cover of up to USD 40,000, offering meaningful protection against hospitalisation, treatment costs and major medical expenses.