News
COPE wants AG to submit report on controversial gas deal
By Saman Indrajith
Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has recommended that Auditor General’s Department conduct an investigation into the cancellation of the Term Tender, approved by the Cabinet to buy gas from Siam Gas at USD 96 per metric ton and the purchase of 100,000 metric tons of gas at a cost of USD 129 per metric ton from an Oman company.
COPE chaired by Prof Charitha Herath made this observation when Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Private) Ltd., and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation were summoned before COPE as part of an inquiry to ascertain if the orders given by the previous COPE had been implemented and to discuss their current performance.
It was discovered that tenders had been invited to purchase 2,80,000 metric tons of gas and three gas suppliers had submitted bids. Siam gas Company had offered the lowest price (USD 96) per metric ton, and accordingly the Cabinet had approved to award the tender to that company.
The Litro officials said that gas could not be obtained from Siam gas Company due to the economic crisis as banks in Sri Lanka were unable to submit the Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) to Litro as per the conditions stipulated during the bidding process.
They further said that during the discussions with the company, Siam had expressed its unwillingness to supply gas without a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC).
Due to that delay, as a temporary solution, Siam gas Company had suggested that it could provide 15,000 metric tons of gas as an emergency purchase. This is the gross amount of gas required for two weeks. However, the company then said it could supply only 6600 metric tons.
Litro officials also said that the Oman company, which had sent prices at USD 129 per metric ton for the Term Tender, had agreed to provide 100,000 metric tons of gas for four months at 25,000 metric tons per month.
Accordingly, after informing the Cabinet of the situation, the term tender given to Siam gas Company had been cancelled and Cabinet and approval granted for the term tender to purchase 100,000 metric tons of gas from the Omani company.
A USD 70 million loan from the World Bank and 20 million of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., amounting to USD 90 million in total had been used for this procurement, Muditha Peiris, Chairman of Litro Lanka said.
The COPE chairman instructed the Auditor General’s Department to conduct an investigation and report whether the loan amount of USD 70 million from the World Bank had been properly utilised.
Prof. Herath added that buying gas from the Omani company at a higher price instead of the lowest bidder, Siam, could set a bad precedent.
The committee also inquired why Litro had not been able to purchase gas with USD 160 million allocated for the purchase of gas under the Indian Credit Line.The Litro chairman said that according to the conditions of the Indian government, Litro had to buy gas from the Indian company.
Litro officials said several rounds of discussions had been held on the matter. The COPE Chairman recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to look into the issue immediately and submit a report within two weeks.
The attention of the COPE was also drawn to the fact that there were only four directors at Litro. It was revealed that according to the law, there should be five members. Since the Ministry of Finance appoints the members of the Board of Directors, COPE pointed out the need to appoint the Board of Directors as per law. The COPE Chairman recommended the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance to take necessary measures on this.
The COPE discussed the suitability of the same person holding the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company.The COPE also inquired whether Litro could obtain financial support from Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, the parent company. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Vijitha Herath said that the company had been able to purchase gas in the past due to the deposit of nearly five billion rupees in a state bank.
Representing the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Saman Fernando. Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and former Litro Chairman Vijitha Herath, Litro Chairman Muditha Peiris were present at this meeting whilst Thesara Jayawardane, former chairman of Litro Company, joined online.
Parliamentarians Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Anura Dissanayaka, (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera, Jagath Pushpakumara, Indika Anuruddha, S.M Marikkar, Jayantha Samaraweera, (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Premnath C. Dolawatta and Madhura Withanage were present at the meeting.
Thirty-six (36) naval personnel completed an eight-month Basic Marine Qualification Course and received their Marine insignia at the main parade ground of SLNS Vidura in Sampur, Trincomalee today, (29 August 2026).
At the invitation of Commandant SLNS Vidura, Captain Ravindu Harischandra, the ceremony was graced by Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area.
The group, comprising 3 officers and 33 sailors, completed the 10th intake of the Basic Marine Qualification Course, after volunteering for the demanding training programme.
In recognition of exceptional performance during the training, trophies were presented to outstanding personnel. Lieutenant (S) VPA Sasanka was awarded trophies for Best Marine of the Course, Highest Aggregate in Overall Subjects, and Best Marksman.
Physical Training Instructor WMGDP Bandara received the trophy for Best Physical Fitness. Addressing the newly qualified personnel,
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage congratulated them on successfully completing the course. He urged them to use the skills and experience gained through their training to contribute to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also called on them to apply the courage and determination developed during the course both in their professional and personal lives, and to remain prepared to meet any challenge faced by the country.
He stressed the importance of keeping their knowledge and training up to date and maintaining constant vigilance while carrying out their duties.
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage also expressed his appreciation to
the Commanding Officer of SLNS Vidura and the directing staff for their contribution to the successful completion of the course.
The insignia ceremony also included a demonstration showcasing the capabilities and skills of the Sri Lanka Navy Marine.
Rear Admiral Achala Silva, Director General Logistics; Rear Admiral Kusal Dissanayake, Commandant Naval Infantry; Commodore Sanjeewa Kodikara, Director Marine; officers
from Navy Headquarters and the Eastern Naval Area; senior officers from the Army, Air Force and Police; and parents of the newly passed out marine personnel attended the ceremony.
Norwegians are grieving the death of the beloved King Harald V, as a period of national mourning begins and his son Haakon VIII assumes the throne.
After Harald’s death was announced early on Friday, crowds amassed at the royal palace in Oslo, laying flowers and flags, some mourners visibly in tears.
The 53-year-old new king held an extraordinary council of state meeting with government ministers, saying he was taking on the royal family’s motto “All for Norway”.
Harald – who was on the throne for 35 years – died in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) aged 89, after being treated there for a rare blood condition. His coffin was later taken to the palace in a public procession.
Memorials outside the palace included a candle with the word “thanks” written on it (BBC)
An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in the capital to see the late king go past, Norway’s public broadcaster reported.
The late monarch has been described as an inclusive, transparent and empathetic “people’s king” who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.
European royals, including King Charles III – whose mother Queen Elizabeth II was Harald’s second cousin – as well as political leaders and ordinary citizens, paid tribute to his service and the stability he brought to the country.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who laid flowers outside the palace and signed a book of condolences after greeting the new king, said the country was “united in grief and gratitude”.
In a televised memorial address – one of multiple eulogies by ministers – he said the late king’s “legacy lives on” and offered condolences to the royal family and Queen Sonja, who would have celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary with Harald on Saturday.
Støre was joined by ministers and a crowd of citizens grieving outside the palace (BBC)
Norway’s superstar footballer Erling Haaland thanked Harald for “everything you meant to Norway” in a post on Instagram, adding that it had been an honour to meet him earlier in the summer at the palace following the Fifa World Cup.
In the country’s capital, Norwegians shared their grief and affection for the late king.
“I personally will say he was everything for us, especially being an immigrant,” Biteya Terfassa, an Oslo resident who was born in Ethiopia, told news agency Reuters outside the palace.
“He made us feel at home and he made us feel loved. So he was like a grandfather that I never had.”
At noon, the Norwegian Armed Forces honoured Harald with a funeral salute of 21 shots from Akershus Fortress in central Oslo.
Later on Friday, a procession left the chapel at Rikshospitalet, where Harald died, taking his coffin in a hearse to the royal palace.
The date of Harald’s funeral is yet to be officially announced. Until then, he will be lying in state in the palace chapel so the public can pay their last respects.
During the national mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast across the Nordic country, while Harald’s portrait will be displayed, candles lit and moments of silence held at professional events.
All non work-related social events will be cancelled or postponed. Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who was due to get married on Friday, even postponed her wedding,
King Haakon, who is Harald’s younger child, is now the monarch and his wife Mette-Marit queen.
He is due to take an oath before the Norwegian parliament on Tuesday and will later participate in a consecration service – a stripped-down version of a coronation, which Norway no longer has.
His daughter, the 22-year-old Ingrid Alexandra, who joined her father to meet ministers at the palace on Friday, is next in line to the throne as crown princess after the rules of succession changed in 1990 to allow firstborn women to inherit the crown.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second from right, stood by her father’s side (BBC)
Haakon assumes his new role at a difficult time, as the royal family has faced health challenges and scandals this year.
Now-Queen Mette-Marit came under scrutiny earlier this year when it was revealed that she had a three-year friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, for which she has publicly apologised.
Later in the year, she received a lung transplant, after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis since 2018. Doctors will not declare her stable until next year, meaning her husband must balance his new official duties with her care.
Meanwhile, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted in June of rape and other offences and sentenced to four years in prison. He is appealing.
Høiby is not a member of the royal family, but was raised with them since he was four years old, when now-King Haakon married his mother.
Although Harald remained popular until his death, a poll for newspaper Aftenposten earlier this year found that support for the monarchy had dropped from 72% in 2024 to 54%.
However, Norwegian royal experts told the BBC that the new king, while facing questions about the turbulence surrounding his family, was respected, hard-working and, they believed, able to move forward despite the challenges.
(BBC)
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Sun directly overhead Pallawarayankaddu, Akkarayankulam, Ariviyal Nagar, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ananthapuram at about 12.11 noon today (29)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (29) are Pallawarayankaddu, Akkarayankulam, Ariviyal Nagar, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ananthapuram about 12.11 noon.
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