News
CEB wrangle gets even murkier
By Ifham Nizam
Plans were afoot by the Power Ministry and the Ceylon Electricity Board top management to give the green light to a higher cost joint venture between China and Pakistan to install a mooring system to unload LNG at Kerawalapitiya, sources close to the Senior Engineers’ Association said.
A senior engineer told the Sunday Island that the CEB was likely to approve it though it was yet under evaluation. “There are strong recommendations from the Power Ministry,” an official said.
When contacted, Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) President Saumya Kumarawadu told the Sunday Island that the project should proceed.
He said that it would be taken up at the Cabinet shortly and by the Attorney General’s Department. “I don’t see anything wrong with it as it comes under negotiations and Denmark is also one of the partners,” he added.
He also said that the project comes as a PPA, thus, coming with an investment. “We must go for the three LNG Plants -1,500MW before going to renewable energy,” Kumarawadu said.
A senior engineer attached to the newly launched Senior Engineers’ Association said: “This is the biggest tender fraud in the country, if it is awarded. The value of the contract for Chinese and Pakistan JV is around USD 1.3 billion for 10 years.”
In comparison, he claimed that the cost to CEB from “the New Fortress proposal is USD 250 million for five years.”
Senior Engineers’ Association Officials pointed out that the cost to CEB from the above Pakistan, China JV and pipeline by the same Chinese would cost three USD 3 per One Million Terminal Units (MMBTU). That was double the price of the New Fortress offer of USD 1.4.
CEB tender condition was to install the mooring system for Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) at a given location with 15 -16 metres depth in the sea.
Many experienced companies who bought the tender documents informed CEB that the location was not suitable for the FSRU terminal and wanted to have the option to change to a stable position.
However, CEB before the bid very clearly said the location of the mooring point cannot be changed.
Therefore, the senior electrical engineer said only two bids were offered and the Technical Evaluation Committee rejected one bid and qualified the JV from China and Pakistan.
The Sunday Island reliably understands that this JV wanted to change the location and TEC considering the possibility.
Since it’s practically impossible to have a mooring system as per CEB location, JV is now offering a small discount to CEB. The earlier price was USD 2.33 /MMBtu and now offered to reduce to USD 2.0/ MMBTU.
“This is a major deviation and violation of tender conditions and procurement procedure.
While refusing to accept a change, it is now trying to accommodate the request of a preferred party,” he added.
Another engineer said that it will jeopardize the entire procurement process of the country. “It’s unfair for experienced bidders who didn’t want to offer impractical solutions.”
The Sunday Island learns that the Pakistan joint venture partner has little experience and the Chinese partner has none.
Engineers say foreign company’s solution and approach was to remove others and to pressure CEB.
Power Ministry Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardena said that the project was still under evaluation.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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