News

SC notices Power Minister and several others over FR petition alleging govt. set to incur loss exceeding Rs 3bn due to irregular tender

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/22

Thilina Walpola

MINISTER KUMARA JAYAKODY

By A.J.A Abeynayake

The Supreme Court has issued notices to Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody and several other respondents in connection with a fundamental rights petition alleging that the government is set to incur a loss exceeding Rs. 3 billion due to irregularities in the awarding of a solar power plant tender in Siyambalanduwa, Athimale.

The petitioner claims that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had called for tenders to construct a 100-megawatt solar power plant, but the contract was awarded to a higher bidder, disregarding the lowest bid, resulting in a significant financial loss to the state. The Supreme Court issued the order on Thursday (20) and directed that notices be sent via courier service by 24 February, at the expense of the petitioner. The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja and Sampath B. Abeykoon.

According to the petition, a company that offered to supply electricity at USD 0.08 per kilowatt-hour was overlooked in favour of a bidder offering USD 0.122 per kilowatt-hour. The petitioner, Milinda Prasanna Madugalla, stated that he learned of the decision through media reports on 21 January 2025. The petition further alleges that the company awarded the contract later agreed to provide electricity at USD 0.08 per kilowatt-hour, but the government had also agreed to cover additional transmission facility costs over a 10-year period, significantly increasing expenditure.

Although the electricity supply cost was eventually reduced, the substantial increase in transmission charges has resulted in an estimated loss of Rs. 3.3 billion to the government. The petitioner argued that this financial burden would ultimately be borne by the public, making the respondents’ actions unlawful and a violation of fundamental rights.

During the hearing, Senior Counsel Suren Fernando, representing the petitioner, urged the court to treat the matter as urgent and allocate an early date for further proceedings. He informed the court that notices had already been issued to all respondents and relevant parties, along with supporting documents.

However, only a Deputy Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, listed as the 10th respondent, was present in court. The remaining nine respondents or their legal representatives failed to appear.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to Minister Kumara Jayakody, the Ceylon Electricity Board, Rividenavi (Pvt) Ltd, Lakdanavi Ltd, WinSports Ltd, Blue Circle (Pvt) Ltd, Athimale Plantations (Pvt) Ltd, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, and Cabinet Secretary W.M.D.L. Fernando.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.