Touch-and-go with delayed coal shipments with country failing to find required dollars for six days

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/19

By Ifham Nizam

The Central Bank had agreed to pay USD 14 million to one of the ships carrying coal to the country’s coal fired power plant complex, a senior official of the Power Ministry said yesterday.

The Island learns that the transaction would be done through the Peoples’ Bank.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is all out to collect rupees to purchase the required dollars.

CEB Chairman M. M. C. Ferdinando was not immediately available for comment. He has instructed CEB senior management to find the money to have the coal stock cleared.

The Island learns that two ships carrying coal have already reached the country.

Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) President Anil Ranjith told The Island that USD 34 million had to be paid to the two ships that were scheduled to leave yesterday.

He expressed concern that if payments were not done they could sue the CEB for damages.

Ranjith also warned that if purchase failed one of the three power generation units at Norochcholai could not be operated for two months, and there would be longer power cut.

Meanwhile, another CEB official expressed confidence that the unloading of the coal consignment would get underway shortly.

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Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd donates Rs 100 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

2 hours ago

2025/12/13

Priyan

Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.

The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.

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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara

Published

5 hours ago

2025/12/13

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Pregnant Mothers to receive Rs 5000 Nutrition Allowance in December

Published

9 hours ago

2025/12/13

Priyan

Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.

This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.

The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.