News
Dayasiri warns of steep CPC revenue loss due to entry of foreign fuel companies
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Dissident Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP, Dayasiri Jayasekera, has expressed concern over a potential 50% drop in the revenue of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) due to the entry of foreign companies into the petroleum market.
Jayasekera highlighted the adverse impact of the policies of successive governments on the CPC.
“The nationalisation of petroleum infrastructure was a great victory for the country. However, we have ruined the CPC. The government said the price of fuel would drop when new companies enter the retail fuel trade, but all companies sell fuel at the same price. Prices won’t go down even if United Petroleum Australia and US-based RM Parks come either,” he said.
The MP emphasised that when the CPC was the sole fuel retailer, money spent by Sri Lankans on fuel remained within the country. The CPC’s retail fuel revenue typically ranged between 78 and 83 billion rupees.
Earlier, one of the conditions imposed on the new entrants was that the money earned by selling fuel could be taken out of the country after one year. The money earned by selling fuel can be converted to US dollars only nine months after the sale of it. The other condition was that one percent of the monthly revenue would be held by the Ministry of Power or an institution assigned by the government.
“These conditions were initially imposed because the government said neither the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) nor the Lanka IOC had maintained adequate dollar reserves to buy fuel, leading to shortages in 2022. These conditions were also imposed to ensure these companies did not take away the profits immediately,” he said.
However, this was later scrapped by the Cabinet. “They are now saying that since the economy has stabilised those companies can convert rupees into dollars and take it out almost immediately. Apparently, the government will earn about 1.5 billion from these companies when they get their businesses running. But the country will lose over 40 billion,” he said.
Jayasekera highlighted that as per the agreements signed between the government and the prospective retail fuel companies, a stipulation was set that required these firms to initiate operations within 45 days of signing the agreement. However, Jayasekera pointed out that RM Parks, despite signing the agreement nearly six months ago, has yet to commence operations as per the agreed terms.
Dr Ashoka Ranwala, President of the General Employees’ Union of the Petroleum Corporation, said the SLFP MP’s concerns were valid and that the government was trying to undermine the CPC and other state-owned enterprises.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
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