News
“Cabinet not in dark about LNG deal with New Fortress,” says UNP
by Piyasena Dissanayake
The UNP said on Thursday that it would not believe the story floating around that Cabinet ministers were in the dark about the government’s signing a deal with the US based New Fortress Energy to build an offshore liquified natural gas (LNG) receiving, storage and regasification terminal.
Addressing a press conference at the Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that the cabinet paper to the effect had been first submitted to the cabinet meeting held on Sept 9.
“The agreement was signed on Sept 18. It is impossible to believe that the ministers of the cabinet did not read the paper submitted to them nine days before. It is a lie that these ministers were not aware of the content of that paper given to them. It seems another ruse by a group of ministers to show that they have a different stance and show themselves off as a group against this. They all have approved it and are now playing a different tune to save their individual faces. The truth is that the agreement has been signed and all ministers in the cabinet are responsible for the deal,” Abeywardena said.
He said that what matters is the rationale behind the signing of the agreement. “What should be clear at this point is whether the government opted for this move for the benefit of electricity consumers of this country or someone within the government was earning commissions out of this. The electricity prices for the consumers locally are comparatively higher than many other countries. The government should think of cleaner and cheaper energy at the lowest possible price to consumers. It does not matter whether it enters into an agreement with the US, China or India for that purpose. It should protect the interests of consumers,” he said.
The US company New Fortress Energy Inc. and the government have entered into an agreement for New Fortress’ investment in West Coast Power Limited, the owner of the 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant, along with the rights to develop a new LNG Terminal off the coast of Colombo.
As part of the transaction, New Fortress will have gas supply rights to the Kerawalapitiya Power Complex, where 310 MW of power is generated today and an additional 700 MW to be added, with 350 MW to be available by 2023.
… successive governments sat on PCoI report handed over in Feb. 2021
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (21) alleged that those who were in power from 2019 to September 2024 sabotaged investigations into the Easter Sunday carnage (2019).
Addressing the Seventh Year Commemoration of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, at St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade, Colombo, the Archbishop of Colombo said that unlike the present leaders of the country, almost all the power holders, since the 2019 April attacks, including former Presidents, Heads of the Police and the AG’s department officials, instead of sincerely finding out as to who and what was behind the horrific crime, tried their best to confuse the public, muddle up the investigations and appointing all kinds of committees, with highly suspect investigators, in order to come out with conclusions crafted by them, and tried to sabotage the truth from emerging.
In spite of the change of government, in September 2024, certain officials of the “deep state” were seeking to obstruct the smooth flow of ongoing investigations.
Regardless of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) giving clear directives to the Attorney General and to that department to take clear legal and disciplinary actions against some of the political figures, officials of the security establishment and organisations for criminal neglect of duty, very little has so far been done on this matter by them.
The PCoI handed over its report to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in February 2021.
The Catholic leader emphasised the need to investigate possible links between the Easter Sunday massacre and attacks, targeting the Muslim community, on the night of 5th May and, once again, on 11th, 12th and 13th May, starting from the Nattandiya-Madampe area, through Kotaramulla to Minuwangoda. The Cardinal said: “This may have a link to the main attacks on 21st April 2019. One must also verify as to whether anyone in the security establishment prevented those responsible from controlling these attacks as and when they began.”
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has directed the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera to cancel an internal transfer of a senior official.
Sources said that the CIABOC intervened as the female official to be transferred is a key witness in the ongoing investigation into the conduct of suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne. The CIABOC has asked the Secretary General to delay the transfer until the conclusion of its investigation.
CIABOC initiated the investigation following a complaint against Kularatne, who himself complained against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne over corruption and irregularities.
The female official’s transfer was to take effect on 20 April.
The United Nations has urged Sri Lanka to deliver concrete results after long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.
The UN’s top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, said survivors and families of victims were still waiting for answers, despite multiple probes and renewed political pledges following the formation of a new government in September 2024.
“Public commitments by the government to pursue justice are important and must be welcomed,” he said, as the nation marked seven years since the bombings on Tuesday.
“But what matters now is results,” he said at a remembrance service in Colombo.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Kurunegala districts
Cardinal: Presidents, IGPs and AG sabotaged Easter carnage probes before 2024 regime change
CIABOC asks Parliament not to transfer witness in case against Deputy Secy General
UN wants Sri Lanka to deliver concrete results in Easter Sunday bombing probe
Chief Sangha Nayaka for North America asks Lankans to support int’l Walk for Peace
Damsith’s 13-wicket match haul powers Sri Sumangala to emphatic title win
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