News

Spotlight on covering approval for USD 16 mn transaction

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Govt. defends emergency coal purchases

By Shamindra Feddinando

Co-cabinet spokesman and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (3) told the post-cabinet media briefing at the Information Department that the government followed proper procedures in respect of spot purchase of 300,000 MT of coal required by Lakvijaya power plant at Norochcholai.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Gammanpila said so when The Island asked him why the government continued with the controversial practice of spot purchases against the backdrop of a spate of corruption accusations against both the SLFP-led UPFA and UNP-SLFP administrations regarding coal purchases.

Referring to the particular cabinet decision taken on Sept 2, 2020, The Island pointed out that the Permanent Procurement Committee had recommended the awarding of the tender worth USD 16.18 mn to M/S Swiss Singapore Overseas Enterprises Pvt. Limited.

The cabinet however granted covering approval to the proposal made by Power Minister Dullus Alahapperuma. The selected supplier is part of Mumbai headquartered global conglomerate Aditya Birla Group.

Pointing out the change of government took place in 2019 November, The Island sought an explanation why regular purchases couldn’t be made, attorney at law Gammanpila explained such acquisitions were made when world market prices were lower than that of the supplier/suppliers’ price.

The minister also explained various factors which could contribute to the government going ahead with emergency purchases.

According to a special audit on procurement of coal by Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Limited from 2009 to 2016 undertaken by the Auditor General’s Department, revealed that there had been instances of coal being supplied without following proper procurement procedures as well as outside procurement process.

Earlier accusations as regards mega contract awarded to the same company led to the sacking of Lanka Coal Company Chairman attorney-at-law Maithri Gunaratne and the entire board of directors in January 2017.

The media was also told of co-cabinet spokesman Gammanpila in his capacity as the Energy Minister submitting a proposal to the cabinet regarding installation of three oil tanks at the Kolonnawa storage complex at a cost of Rs 942.47 mn (sans VAT payment). According to the cabinet paper, cabinet -appointed procurement committee had recommended Indo-East Engineering and Construction (Lanka) Private Limited to undertake the project.

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News

Animal Welfare Draft Bill to be Gazetted

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.

Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.

Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.

News

Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.

It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.

Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.

Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions

• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981

News

Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/24

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.