News
FNO calls for full and thorough probe into Trinco Oil Tank Farm deal with India
The Federation of National Organisations has asked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to put an immediate halt to the ongoing process of entering into an agreement with India, purportedly to develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm. It has called for a thorough investigation into the questionable deal.
A letter signed by FNO Convener Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera addressed to the President says the then government of Ceylon took possession of 99 tanks at the farm paying Sterling Pounds 250,000 to the British Navy in 1964. That government did so, taking the national interests into serious consideration. The so-called agreement process contained serious technical flaws. Agreements made without following due process are null and void before the law. Therefore, the President should immediately stop this process and make a full revision of it. Any decision taken otherwise owing to the pressures of public protests or court decisions will pave the way for serious repercussions which would be detrimental to the image and sustenance of the government and Indo-Sri Lanka relations.
The FNO says that the government instead should pay attention to make a policy decision to ensure energy security of the country by retaining its hold on bunkering.
Informed public opinion in this country today is that the process of handing over 99 tanks to the LIOC is questionable. People do not trust this agreement and there will be public protests, the letter has said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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