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Consensus of all stakeholders is vital when implementing development projects – President
A discussion on the proposed Mannar wind power plant and related emerging issues was held on Wednesday (13) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The meeting focused on the country’s energy needs and the importance of the project to the national economy.
It was decided to develop a framework to identify and resolve the issues faced by local communities due to the wind power plant. It was also agreed to temporarily suspend the construction of the two wind power plants, one of 20 MW already underway and another of 50 MW proposed, despite tenders being called and contracts awarded.
The President emphasized that energy is a national resource, not limited to one region and that electricity costs affect not only household bills but also the cost of production, foreign investment and the entire economy.
He stressed that the government is always prepared to engage in discussions about the project’s impact on people’s livelihoods, the economy and daily life, also to address public concerns.
President Dissanayake stated that all the country’s resources belong to its people and that energy is not confined to any one region but is the rightful possession of the entire nation.
The President pointed out that further delays in development projects would mean missing opportunities to uplift the national economy and noted that opposition to such projects hinders the government’s ability to provide relief to investors and industrialists.
Therefore, President Dissanayake emphasized that all parties must reach consensus when implementing development projects, and assured that the government is ready at any time to provide solutions to any impacts such projects may have on the communities in the areas where they are carried out.
Community representatives from Mannar, including religious leaders, raised concerns about environmental damage and impacts on residents from both the Ilmenite mining project and the wind power project. In response, the President stated that the projects would not proceed without the approval of the Central Environmental Authority’s assessment reports.
The public also informed President about the failure to properly implement the environmental reports and recommendations.
The President stated that the project would be postponed for one month in order to study the issues faced by the people of the Mannar area.
He further said that during this period, steps would be taken to identify the problems and provide prompt solutions.
The Adani Group had planned to purchase a unit of electricity at USD 0.0826, equivalent to LKR 25, while the unit price of electricity generated from this wind power project would be USD 0.0465, which is LKR 13. The government intends to maintain the average production cost of a unit of electricity at LKR 13.
The President also revealed that provisions from the upcoming budget would be allocated for the renovation of the Kokkilai Bridge in the North and for the new Mannar water supply project.
Minister of Energy, Kumar Jayakody stated that the Land Reclamation Department had been instructed to prepare a report on any potential flood risks in the Mannar area caused by the wind power plant.
To resolve land issues, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Forest Department, the Mahaweli Authority, the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Environment are expected to jointly prepare a report on northern lands and submit proposals.
Religious leaders from the Northern Province , Minister of Energy, Kumar Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development, Upali Samarasinghe, Members of Parliament representing both government and opposition from the Northern Province, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy , Professor Udayanga Hemapala, other state officials and representatives of Mannar Civil Society Committees attended the discussion.
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Dilki Wathsala Marambage appointed as Director General of the Department of Technical Education and Training
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal forwarded by the Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to appoint Mrs. Dilki Wathsala Marambage to the post of Director General of the Department of Technical Education and Training.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan is planning to legally challenge the federal government’s Sunday takeover of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province that the party governed.
Sheikh Waqas Akram, the PTI’s central information secretary, told Al Jazeera that the party would challenge the imposition of emergency laws — suspending civil liberties — and governor’s rule in the province in court on Tuesday. A petition had been drafted by a legal committee headed by PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja, but Akram did not say whether it would be filed in the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court.
The federal government’s moves have emerged as Pakistan’s latest political flashpoint, with competing narratives from the government and the PTI, at a time when the party was in the middle of a delayed march towards Islamabad, aimed at pressuring authorities to release former PM Khan, who has been in incarceration for more than three years.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday justified the government’s moves by arguing that federal rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was needed for Pakistan to effectively combat “terrorism” in the province that shares a porous border with Afghanistan.
“No war can be won, however many resources you bring, whatever you do, until the government there leads it,” Naqvi said in Peshawar on Monday.
On Sunday, President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency rule and governor’s rule, suspending the PTI government in the northwestern province. The party has governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2013.
[Aljazeera]
Pathum Nissanka’s return to the red-ball fold provides a downtrodden Sri Lanka with a timely boost, while debuts are also in the offing for wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara and seamer Eshan Malinga after both were named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.
The 22-year-old Bandara is tipped to make the playing XI following Kusal Mendis’ promotion to captain, with the longtime Test keeper now likely to play solely as a specialist batter. Malinga’s inclusion is less certain, with Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka – who returns to the squad having been omitted from the one named for the second Test against India – all in line to make up Sri Lanka’s pace contingent. Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the second India Test with an injury, is also in the squad.
Making way are Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige – both of whom had drafted in for the second Test against India – as well as Lahiru Udara, Niroshan Dickwella and Vishwa Fernando.
Malinga’s inclusion comes as Sri Lanka’s red-ball fast-bowling stocks had been waning. Former skipper Dhananjaya, who has been retained in the squad, had been vocal during the India tour of Sri Lanka’s need for more express seamers in the playing XI – aside from Lahiru Kumara, who is capable of clocking speeds in the 140kph range, most other options tend to veer around the low 130s. Malinga is certainly capable of matching Kumara on the speed gun, and that could point towards a potential first Test cap.
Bandara has been a player of genuine promise since making his debut in 2022, with his 31 first-class matches fetching 2239 runs at an average 65.85. There had been a clamour among fans for The Colombo CC keeper to be included in the squad to face India, but that spot was eventually taken by Dickwella.
The rest of the squad pans out as expected, with Nissanka’s return the headline. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made his debut earlier this year against India, retains his place ahead of the more experienced Udara. However if Bandara does take up wicketkeeping duties as expected, it Dhananjaya could be the odd man out, with Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis all assured a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lanka have two spin bowling options in Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha.
The first Test will take place in Rawalpindi on November 9.
Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Tests
Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (capt), Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga
[Cricinfo]
Cabinet approves redrafting of State Assets Management Act
Cooperative Employees Commission Act No. 12 of 1972 to be amended
Dilki Wathsala Marambage appointed as Director General of the Department of Technical Education and Training
Declaration of Naakolagane Sanctuary under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance
Cabinet approves transfer and maintenance of selected roads presently under PC’s and Local Authorities to the RDA
Obtaining financial facilities for the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Program (Sub-program 2) from the ADB
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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