News
Auditor General highlights delay in CEB paying renewable energy producers
By Saman Indrajith
The CEB must pay renewable energy producers within 30 days from the date of meter readings at the power houses as per the standard electricity purchase agreement, but payment for the invoices submitted in July 2021 had not been settled even as of December 2021, the Auditor General said in a report on renewable energy production.
Due to the late payments investors are facing difficulties in repaying loan installments and are also at risk of paying rising interest rates on loans from financial institutions. At the same time, financial risk can discourage new investments and push up demand prices.
“The risk of having to pay a prime rate for late payments was observed because the standard electricity purchase agreement states that an interest amount has to be paid to the suppliers for the payments made after the due date,” the report said.
The AG has stated that promoting renewable energy is also vital for the economic recovery in the post COVID period. The country is facing foreign exchange shortages, and this is an obstacle to importing fuel for power generation. The Ceylon Electricity Board is increasingly finding it hard to obtain fuel from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the report read.
A community power generation programme called ‘Surya Bala Sangramaya’ was launched on 04 August 2016 with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to generate renewable electricity for the country’s electricity consumers. The government aimed to generate 1,000 MW using 1,000,000 rooftops by 2025, however, only 24,696 customers had connected 269 MW to the national grid at the end of 2020.
Sri Lanka signed an agreement in 2016, at the United Nations Headquarters, to minimise greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (NO2) emitted by power generation, transportation industries, waste and forest resources.
“Sri Lanka plans, by 2030, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector by 20 percent. This goal could be fulfilled by fully transitioning to clean energies. It was observed that such a situation would not be easy to achieve in the future in the present circumstances. It was decided to introduce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plants instead of thermal power plants to reduce carbon emissions in the power sector by Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs7), however no LNG power plant had been commissioned so far,” the report said.
The AG added that according to the current state policy, it is expected to increase total renewable energy generation up to 70 percent by 2030. The solar and wind power capacity should be increased to 8,000 MW to achieve this.
“The reasons for the failure of solar power to reach effective levels can be attributed to the high cost and lack of profitable financing methods. Loan and incentive schemes should be introduced for that. The required energy should be provided through development projects to generate solar power together with the private and public sector,” the report recommended.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
An underworld hitman who attempted to break into a house in the Andiambalama area of Katunayake to kill a businessman was arrested in Rajanganaya by the police and the Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday night after the attempt failed and he escaped by jumping over a wall.
Investigations have revealed that this individual is connected to a number of murders, including the recent killing of a businessman known as “Indikatu Jude” in the Seeduwa area a few weeks ago, as well as several other criminal activities.
Police said that the suspect was responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a man sleeping in a three-wheeler in the Gampaha area and attempting to assassinate another person at the Negombo market.
The suspect arrived in Andiambalama with another underworld assassin to murder a businessman engaged in money lending from his residence.
At the time of the incident, the businessman attempted to close his electric gate. The contract killer and his accomplice tried to shoot the businessman, but their weapon malfunctioned and did not fire. A struggle ensued between the businessman and the two assailants, after which the assailants tried to escape by jumping over the wall of the house as the would-be victim ran into the house.
During the escape, one of the suspects fell from the wall and fractured a bone in his leg. Local residents captured him after assaulting him and handed him over to the police.
The other contract killer managed to flee the scene but was later apprehended in the Rajanganaya area.Investigations are being carried out under the supervision of Negombo Division SSP Ashoka Dharmasena.
By Hemantha Randunu
The Committee of Inquiry investigating IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon over alleged gross abuse of power has formally requested the Acting IGP to nominate a police investigation team to assist its work. The request was made during the Committee’s second meeting, held yesterday (25 April) in the Parliamentary complex.
The Attorney General has appointed Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, to support the Committee’s proceedings.
At the session, the Committee held initial discussions on how to proceed with the investigation and involve key stakeholders. It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on 28 April, 2025, to decide on the next steps.
Sri Lanka, India and South Africa kick off World Cup preparations with ODI tri-series
IPL 2025: Harshal, Kamindu lead Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai
Fairly heavy rain fall about 75 mm is likely at some places in Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa districts
-
News6 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Features4 days agoRuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
Foreign News7 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
News4 days agoOrders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features5 days agoNew species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
Features6 days agoThe ironies of history
-
News3 days agoProf. Rambukwella passes away
-
News5 days agoPhoto of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe