News
CEB–NTPC joint venture seeks investors for 50 MW Sampur solar project
The Trincomalee Power Company (TPC)—a 50:50 joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s NTPC—has called for international tenders for a 50-megawatt solar power plant with battery storage at Sampur in Trincomalee, in a move expected to draw strong investor interest amid Sri Lanka’s accelerating shift towards utility-scale renewables.
Tender documents invite bidders to undertake the complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plant, together with a minimum 20 MW / 20 MWh battery energy storage system, positioning the project as a commercially attractive, grid-stabilising asset in the Eastern Province.
Bids will be accepted until February 18, 2026, and opened on February 19, with the successful contractor required to complete the project within 21 months of award—offering investors clear timelines and execution certainty, officials said.
Energy sector sources noted that the project benefits from sovereign backing through the CEB and the balance-sheet strength and technical credibility of NTPC, India’s largest power utility, significantly lowering counterparty and execution risk for developers and financiers.
The Sampur site carries strategic importance in Sri Lanka’s energy landscape. Initially designated for a 500 MW coal-fired power plant under an earlier Indo-Lanka agreement, the project was abandoned in 2016 following environmental opposition. Its re-development as a solar-plus-storage facility signals a policy pivot towards cleaner generation while unlocking the value of a long-idle, infrastructure-ready site.
Analysts said the inclusion of battery storage enhances the project’s bankability by improving dispatchability and grid reliability—key considerations for investors as Sri Lanka integrates higher shares of intermittent renewable energy.
The Sampur solar project also strengthens India–Sri Lanka energy cooperation at a time when regional power security, supply diversification and climate-aligned investments are gaining prominence among institutional investors.
Sri Lanka’s target of sourcing 70% of electricity from renewables by 2030 has sharpened demand for large, utility-scale projects backed by state entities. Market observers said the Sampur project could emerge as a benchmark transaction for future solar and storage investments, particularly in repurposing former thermal power sites into commercially viable clean-energy assets.
By Ifham Nizam
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
News
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
The cremation ceremony of the late Deputy Prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya,
Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha,
Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero who passed away on 18.10.2026 is scheduled to be held at the Gatambe Urban Council playground on 21.10.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the joint resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments and the Minister of Buddha Shasana, Religions and Cultural Activities to conduct the cremation ceremony with state patronage.
The Suraksha Student Insurance Program has been initiated with the primary objective of the creation of the necessary environment for the students who encounter various obstacles due to various health issues to overcome barriers and continue their education without any interruption.
The students studying in government schools, government approved private schools, Pirivenas and Assisted special schools are eligible to obtain the benefits under this program.
The Cabinet of Ministers, decided to grant their approval for the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, to revise and implement the currently enforced agreement regarding the aforementioned Suraksha Student Insurance Program between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation for the period from 01-09-2026 to 31-08-2027,
with the inclusion of the following new benefits as well.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs. 75,000/- for repairing hearing accessories and for the service charges incurred thereof.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/-for the students who are taking medicines in long term for the diseases such as for chronic kidney diseases and Chronic
Inflammatory Arthritis.
• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/- for the expenses incurred for the tests Malignancy Screening Test for Skin Cancer, Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), Screening Test for Osteoporosis, Screening Test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
• Revising ‘Cancer Treatment’ under the critical illness category to ‘Cancer Treatment and related Testing’, and covering expenses incurred for major surgeries required for hip, shoulder, and knee joint replacements due to sudden accidents, as well as PET Scans, under the critical illness category.
• Providing the opportunity to claim an amount of Rs. 100,000/- under the accidental category for student fatalities occurring due to sudden accidents during activities organized by institutions under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, and conducted under the supervision of educational authorities (such as educational terms/excursions and sports meets, etc.) either within or outside the school.
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
Implementation of Suraksha Student Insurance Program for the Year 2026/2027
Environmental laws will be enforced equally against everyone
President pays last respects to Most Venerable Kappetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera
Shafali receives demerit point for breaching Level 1 of ICC code of conduct
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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