News
CEB not maximizing high rainfall for power generation says experts
by Ifham Nizam
Independent engineers and energy experts on Friday criticized the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Systems Control Division for not fully utilizing available hydro capacity boosted by heavy rain over the last 10 days.
They alleged that the some officials were keen on thermal power generation using expensive fossil fuel and coal, the prices of which keep rising in global markets. The situation is further aggravated by the depreciating rupee.
It is reliably understood that the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) would inquire into non-maximizing production of hydro electricity in current wet weather.
A retired senior electrical engineer said that the CEB’s System Control Center must use available weather information including long term forecasts to maximize the generation of hydropower.
This was essential in the context of slower water inflows to power generating reservoirs due to deforestation.
He said that environmental factors like global warming caused greater evaporation of water in the oceans resulting in the heavy downpours now experienced.
But forecasting these is not easy and the CEB policy of uninterrupted power supply influences decisions to conserve water for dry season generation. This results in hydropower generation not being maximized even when reservoirs are spilling. This could be considered a revenue loss for the CEB.
He advocated a ‘smart grid’ saying that an ‘uninterrupted power supply at any cost principle’ must be avoided with effective demand management and consumer cooperation. Consumers must be educated about sometimes necessary power interruptions and must be taught not to strain the supply by overloading it at peak times.
The CEB has to also contend with the need for irrigation water decided weekly in consultation with the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority.
Energy analyst Dr. Vidhura Ralapanawe said that there was no necessity for the CEB to run expensive gas turbines at present as there was an adequate water in the reservoirs and expressed concern about an unsystematic approach while the world was tilting towards clean energy.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
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