News

Engineers insist Lanka’s energy security in danger

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/23

By Ifham Nizam

US firm, New Fortress Energy, was trying to take advantage of the country’s declining economic situation on the pretext of purchasing 40 percent shares of the West Coast Power Plant, Yugadanavi by paying Sri Lanka USD 250 million, but in actual fact the US firm was targeting huge returns, says Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union President Saumya Kumarawadu.

Responding to queries, Kumarawadu said that the unsolicited offer from New Fortress included clauses that required Sri Lanka to make all LNG purchases through that firm. “In other , it will give the US firm an opportunity to make more than USD 6,000 million in a 10-year period. However, if LNG purchases went through competitive bidding the amount would be much lower,” he said, adding that they were waiting to take up the matter with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The transaction cost under the NFE’s LNG supply contract could be in the range of USD 3000 million for five years and could go up to USD 6000 million for 10 years, given the fact that the country would be forced to buy LNG from NFE for the plants in Kelanitissa premises as well since there was no other alternative option, he said.

Exclusive rights of supplying LNG to Sri Lanka would be given to the American company for five years initially, but the country would be compelled to extend the period and that was a great threat to national energy security, he stressed.

The CEBEU President said they feared that the Colombo-based existing and future power plants could be controlled by the US company through the LNG supply deal, which would greatly hamper the country’s electricity supply availability and reliability. Supply of LNG under the contract might not be limited to the electricity sector but could also be extended to other sectors such as transport and domestic use in the years to come.

Dhammike Wimalaratne, Secretary of CEBEU said: “New Fortress USA only agrees to buy 40% government shares of West Coast Plant by paying Sri Lanka USD 250 million provided Sri Lanka agrees to give them the exclusive rights to supply and operate both LNG FSRU infrastructure and LNG Supply to all the power stations in the country.

He too warned that the national energy security in the country which was enforced through the Country’s National Energy Policy issued in Aug 2019 was in jeopardy.

It states, “Considering the impact to the country’s energy security, operation of the first terminal and LNG procurement shall be kept under state control”

• CEB has already developed a comprehensive road map for the deployment of LNG for Sri Lanka electricity generation through a detailed feasibility study funded by ADB.

• The intention was to deploy LNG for the Colombo based power plants initially with the actual LNG requirement determined carefully in accordance with CEB’s generation plan as well as forecasted dispatch scenario.

• The tenders were separated for the procurement of LNG terminal, pipeline and LNG supply through a competitive bidding process to secure the optimum economic benefits to the country while ensuring transparency and accountability.

• International Competitive Tenders were called by CEB to procure LNG terminal (FSRU, mooring facility and other infrastructure) and by CPC to construct the pipeline network and the bids received are currently under evaluation.

• Bid documents to procure LNG through a competitive bidding process are being prepared.

All News Advertisement

News

Addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority – PM

Published

14 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority, highlighting that it must deliver results at the ground level.

A meeting to brief the Prime Minister on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) 2026–2030 was held with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders on 13th of March at the Temple Trees.

The discussion focused on the proposed national strategy developed to address the growing health, social and economic challenges associated with substance use disorders in Sri Lanka. The strategic plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach.

During the meeting, attention was drawn to existing gaps in early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and reintegration of recovering individuals into society. The plan proposes several key interventions, including strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities, and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse prevention programmes.

Special emphasis has also been placed on providing targeted support for vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.

Speaking on the importance of strengthening the national response to drug issues, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted that the drug menace has evolved into a serious social crisis that threatens social stability and security of families and the nation as a whole highlighting that law enforcement and rehabilitation in this regard must be given equal priority.

The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of including public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key components of the national strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, officials from the Department of Prisons, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka Police Ministry of health, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Justice and National Integration ,Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other relevant department and ministries.

[Prime minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

QR code system will be implemented for fuel with effect from 06.00 a.m. today (15th)

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

In light of the prevailing geopolitical developments in Middle East, the petroleum product supply chain has been adversely affected. At the same time, the demand for fuel has increased abnormally, resulting in a depletion of the country’s existing fuel stock. Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the nation’s economic activities.

Furthermore, it has recently been observed that certain groups have been illegally purchasing fuel in excessive quantities. The Government of Sri Lanka intends to prevent such improper consumption and ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply for the day-to-day needs and economic activities of the general public.

Accordingly, a QR code system will be implemented with effect from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Fuel will not be issued by any operating filling station in the country without a valid QR code from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Steps to Obtain the QR Code

Users who have already registered for the QR Code
Users whose vehicle ownership and registered mobile number remain unchanged since their initial registration may download their QR Code from the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from midnight on 14.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Login’ button.
Users whose vehicle ownership or registered mobile number has changed since their last registration are required to re-register their details through the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from 6.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.
Users who have not previously registered for the QR Code and users with newly registered vehicles at
the RMV
Registration can be completed starting from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026 through the
website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.

The number of litres allocated for each category of vehicle is stated below.

A special fuel issuance system will be implemented for vehicles required to support national production and essential services.

Vehicle Class	Capacity control volume for fuel pass (L)
Buses	60
Motor cycle	5
Van	40
Motor car	15
Motor Lorry	200
Land Vehicles	25
Three Wheeler	15
Special Purpose Vehicle	40
Quadricycle	5

[Sri Lanka Transport Board will issue fuel to the private buses].

News

Lanka discovers largest groundwater source

Published

22 hours ago

2026/03/15

Thilina Walpola

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) on Friday said the largest groundwater source discovered in Sri Lanka so far had been identified during tube-well drilling near the Pitabeddara Police Station.

Indrajith Gamage, geologist in charge of the Southern Province, said the source recorded a continuous flow of about 10,000 litres (10 cubic metres) per minute, marking the first instance in the country where a groundwater source of that magnitude had been found.

He noted that the previous largest groundwater source was discovered in the Madhu area, which recorded a flow of about 7,000 litres per minute.

According to the NWSDB, the tube well was drilled following geological studies of rock layers and the identification of underground water through fractures in rock strata using specialised technical instruments.

The Board said steps would be taken to distribute water from the newly discovered source to residents facing shortages in Pitabeddara, Morawaka and surrounding areas.