News
Energy expert warns CEB taking country for a ride through creative accounting
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Ensuring control over the country’s energy supply requirements was vital for its energy security and for a country like Sri Lanka that could come only by increasing the use of renewable energy, Engineer Parakrama Jayasinghe, former president of Bioenergy Association of Sri Lanka, told The Island.
Jayasinghe said that depending on coal or petroleum was not feasible for the country in the face of fluctuating prices of those commodities and the continuous devaluation of the rupee to the dollar, he said.
He said: “Unfortunately, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) doesn’t take these factors into consideration when taking decisions on the energy mix. They are set on coal and use creative accounting to show that coal is a cheap source of energy. A number of CEB and Ministry officials had claimed that they could produce a unit of electricity for about Rs. 7 to 8. They had done so by keeping the exchange rate at a constant, sometimes at around Rs. 150 per USD and setting the coal prices at around USD 50 per ton, which was the price when coal hit an all-time low last year.”
Jayasinghe said that renewable power such as wind and solar were pegged to the rupee and the money generated in this sector remained within the country. It is estimated that around 380 grams of coal is needed to produce a unit of electricity. This gives the coal cost per generation at Rs 9.12. When we add the diesel cost, the fuel cost per unit alone comes to about Rs. 9.90 per unit. With other costs of the plant (except financing) the unit cost reaches about Rs. 14.50.
Jayasinghe said: “Independent energy experts claim that a unit of energy created by the proposed new coal plants will be around Rs. 20. Soar and wind power is much cheaper. So, the claim that coal is the cheapest source of energy is simply wrong.”
Recently, independent energy expert, Vidura Ralapanawe said that the recovery of coal prices in the world market coupled with the decline in the value of the rupee would result in the cost of electricity generation increasing rapidly in Sri Lanka, especially with Norochcholai coal fired power plants accounting for the bulk of power produced in the country. He added that the recovery of coal prices, as demand picked up meant that calculations made by a number of energy sector decision makers as regards the cost of electricity in the future would be incorrect. “Coal cost has risen to USD 90 + FOB. With freight, insurance, VAT and lightering, the total cost of coal received by the plant is USD 120 per ton,” Ralapanawe said.
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
by Norman Palihawadane
Department of Prisons’ Media Spokesperson, Gamini Dissanayake said yesterday that retired Superintendent of the high security Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, who was tragically gunned down at Thalagaha, in Akmeemana, on Thursday (13), had been provided with a firearm for his protection during his tenure, considering the potential threat to his life.
Dissanayake said that during his service period, he had received threats from certain individuals.
Furthermore, the Prison Department stated that during his service, there were no significant issues or shortcomings found in his personal records.
Dissanayake said that the majority of detainees at the Boossa Prison are individuals linked to organized crimes.
South Asia erupts in colour for vibrant Holi celebrations
US had productive talks with Putin over Ukraine war, Trump says
Showers above 50mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts
-
Editorial6 days agoRanil roasted in London
-
Latest News7 days agoS. Thomas’ beat Royal by five wickets in the 146th Battle of the Blues
-
Features6 days agoThe JVP insurrection of 1971 as I saw it as GA Ampara
-
Opinion5 days agoInsulting SL armed forces
-
Features6 days agoMr. JR Jayewardene’s passport
-
News3 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Features6 days agoAs superpower America falls into chaos, being small is beautiful for Sri Lanka
-
Opinion6 days agoBeyond Victory: sportsmanship thrives at Moratuwa Big Match