News

LIOC move killing CPC; govt. in deep slumber – Unionist

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/9

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top spokesperson for the ‘Samagi’ Opposition trade union Ananda Palitha has alleged that differences between the prices of petrol and diesel sold at Lanka IOC filling stations and those sold by CEYPETCO and Laugfs are one of the reasons for the disruption of countrywide fuel supplies.

Ananda Palitha urged newly appointed Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge to reveal why Lanka IOC had been allowed to increase petrol and diesel prices by Rs 27 and 17 respectively.

Responding to another query Palitha, a former employee of the CPC (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) and CPSTL (Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited) said that the Lanka IOC had driven all its customers to the cash-strapped CEYPETCO and Laughs, thereby causing an unprecedented rush at service stations other than those managed by Lanka IOC.

Both the government and the Opposition had conveniently turned a blind eye to the Lanka IOC twice increasing fuel prices on 06 Feb and 25 Feb with the consent of the then Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who exercised the regulatory powers in the absence of the mechanism proposed in terms of Act No 35 of 2002. The trade union activist emphasized that lawmaker Gammanpila could have thwarted the Lanka IOC move.

Ananda Palitha challenged political parties to explain why the proposed mechanism couldn’t be established over the past 20 years.

The Act enacted during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s premiership in 2002 provided for the establishment of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka to regulate certain public utilities, including petroleum, electricity and water.

Ananda Palitha said that the national economy could suffer debilitating losses unless the Parliament ensured the setting up of proper mechanism to regulate fuel prices as soon as possible. The incumbent Energy Minister should exercise regulatory powers until then, the activist said, emphasizing that Lanka IOC was a highly profitable enterprise as its mode of operation was totally different to CEYPETCO.

Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayaka yesterday said that he couldn’t comment on the issue at hand. Ratnayaka said so when The Island sought his opinion on the vast difference in the pricing formula. Ratnayake said that though he served as the Chairman of the PUCSL, the petroleum sector didn’t come under his purview.

A senior Central Bank official told The Island that the sharp differences between fuel prices at CEYPETCO and Laugfs and the Lanka IOC caused massive losses to the government. Pointing out that the Central Bank had asked the government to increase fuel prices, the official said that CEYPETCO couldn’t meet the country’s oil requirement under present conditions.

Ananda Palitha said that Lanka IOC was in a stable condition to maintain the power pricing formula. However, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta has attributed the recent price increases to steep increases in international market prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gupta commented on the Russian invasion on Feb 25, the same day LIOC revised its prices for the second time that month.

According to the Opposition activist, he had retired in Oct 2018 after having served the CPC and CPSTL for 40 years and never believed a government could be so irresponsible. Declaring that the much touted agreement between Sri Lanka and India in respect of the Trincomalee oil tank farm was nothing but a sellout and betrayal of the country, Ananda Palitha claimed that Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Gammanpila should accept responsibility for the current calamity. Ananda Palitha alleged that India couldn’t have negotiated such a one-sided deal even during UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the Prime Minister though he was repeatedly accused of succumbing to Indian pressure.

Ananda Palitha said that the inordinate delay in setting up the regulalatory mechanism in terms of Act No 35 of 2002, allowing Lanka IOC to decide petroleum prices and the agreement on the Trincomalee tank farm should be carefully examined. The then Energy Minister Gammanpila should never have been given the authority to negotiate the Trincomalee deal, Ananda Palitha said.

Lawmaker Gammanpila has explained both in and outside Parliament how proper procedures were followed in negotiating the agreement on Trincomalee oil tank farm. Gammanpila told The Island that there were absolutely no basis for accusations and that he obtained the best terms for the country under the circumstances faced by the country.

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Interpol crackdown: Sri Lankan man among seven arrested in UK for human smuggling

Published

55 mins ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Suspect also wanted for child abuse: Extradition process underway

Among seven persons arrested in the United Kingdom for people smuggling is a Sri Lankan wanted by French authorities for the rape of a child.

UK’s National Crime Agency said that it collaborated with police and international partners in INTERPOL’s largest-ever operation targeting people smuggling and human trafficking.

Operation Liberterra III was led by the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) and targeted offenders wanted for a range of crimes who had entered the UK illegally.

Officers from the National Extradition Unit at the JICC made five arrests across London, Bedfordshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

Those arrested included:

A 30-year-old Sri Lankan man arrested in Liverpool and wanted in France for the rape of a child

A 38-year-old Iraqi man wanted for rape in Germany arrested in Greater Manchester

A 29-year-old Egyptian man wanted for murder in France arrested in Bedfordshire

A 41-year-old Syrian man arrested in Greater Manchester and wanted in Germany for organising illegal small boat crossings

A 30-year-old Bulgarian man arrested in London for human trafficking and wanted in France

Greater Manchester Police teams also made two arrests across the county during the operation which was held between 10 and 21 November last year.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian man wanted in Germany for sexual exploitation

A 31-year-old Romanian man wanted in Romania for sexual exploitation

Extradition proceedings are underway for all seven suspects.

The NCA website quoted its Deputy Director of International Rick Jones as having said: “This global operation is a prime example of our commitment to working closely and effectively with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.

“We were proud to host the European Co-ordination Unit and used a range of our specialist capabilities to gather and disseminate intelligence to law enforcement agencies across the world, and to enable our officers to identify, locate and detain offenders wanted overseas.

“As a result, seven suspects wanted in connection to serious offences have been removed from our communities and extradition proceedings are ongoing to ensure they face justice.”

Globally, 3,744 suspects were arrested including 1,800 for human trafficking and migrant smuggling offences.

News

Sri Lanka calls on global consular corps to protect nationals amid fishermen incident

Published

57 mins ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath accepts a token of appreciation

Addressing a gathering of the world’s consular community, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath issued a pointed, diplomatic request yesterday for the enhanced protection of Sri Lankan citizens abroad, a message delivered against the backdrop of a recent alleged assault on Sri Lankan fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard.

The occasion was the inauguration of the FICAC 2026 South Asia Regional Conference, hosted by The Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka together with the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) at Cinnamon Life.

Minister Herath, while outlining Sri Lanka’s foreign policy of “non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and constructive engagement,” directly tasked the honorary consul community with a critical role. “I request the honorary consul community to maintain a continued and enhanced focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in respective jurisdictions,” he stated.

The appeal carries significant weight following recent media reports which detailed claims by a group of fishermen from Wennappuwa that they were assaulted by uniformed Indian Coastal Guards. The incident, alleged to have occurred partly in Sri Lankan territorial waters, resulted in hospitalisations and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Navy for investigation. Minister Herath’s carefully calibrated statement before the international audience underscored the government’s proactive but diplomatic approach to citizen welfare overseas.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who also addressed the inaugural session, framed Sri Lanka as a nation on a resurgent path. She thanked FICAC for selecting Sri Lanka, noting the choice reinforces the country’s returning credibility under President AKD’s administration.

“Fiscal management is in good control with contained inflation and increased reserve levels and global confidence is returning as the country is moving towards stability, expanded economic activity and inclusive growth,” the Prime Minister stated. She also acknowledged the severe challenge posed by climate change, citing Cyclone Ditwah, and thanked the international community for its support during the disaster, which helped quickly revive the tourism sector.

Both leaders positioned the consular network as indispensable partners in Sri Lanka’s recovery and global re-engagement. Minister Herath emphasised their role in bridging “governments, businesses and communities,” while the Prime Minister stated such forums help reconsolidate the support of global actors.”

The three-day FICAC conference brings together consular officials from across South Asia, focusing on their unique role in facilitating diplomacy, trade, and legal cooperation outside traditional embassy channels.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

News

Korean boost for Thriposha programme: Partnership worth USD 10 mn

Published

57 mins ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has reached agreement with Sri Lanka to strengthen the country’s Thriposha nutrition programme through climate-resilient, locally sourced food systems.

According to the Korean Embassy here the agreement formalised a USD 10 million partnership that would enhance domestic production of high-quality maize, reduce reliance on imports, and reinforce the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship nutrition intervention for children and mothers. The agreement in this regard reflected the shared commitment of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development outcomes, the Embassy stated.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Ms. Miyon Lee, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Country Representative, World Food Programme (WFP) Philip Ward, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited, demonstrating the commitment by all relevant stakeholders of this unique project.