News

Govt. opt for emergency power purchase

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/11

By Shiran Ranasinghe

The Cabinet of Ministers had approved an emergency purchase of between 200 and 300 megawatts from Independent Power Producers. Minister of Power, Pavithra Wanniarachchi had presented the Cabinet Paper.

A number of CEB engineers and officials had been urging the government to purchase emergency power for the last few months. However, the government did not approve the proposal.

A CEB engineer said that a unit of electricity purchased would cost around Rs. 50. He added that they had not finalised the price of a unit of electricity.

However, the head of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayaka said that the final decision on emergency power purchases would be made by his outfit.

Another CEB engineer said given that monsoon rains would commence in May and there was no point in purchasing emergency power for six months. Independent Power Producers also use diesel to produce electricity. “Even state owned power plants do not have diesel. How will these private operators get diesel. We will just pay a lot of money for nothing,” he said.

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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.

She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations.

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Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.