News
Govt. publishes new electricity Bill, aiming at sector reform and private participation
Unions call it ‘disastrous’
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara announced on Thursday (18) that the proposed reforms to the electricity sector, titled the ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Bill,’ had been gazetted on Wednesday.
Wijesekara revealed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the bill would be introduced in Parliament during the next session.
He noted that amendments suggested by stakeholders in January have been incorporated into the revised bill. The public will have a two-week period to challenge the bill’s legality in the Supreme Court after it is presented to Parliament.
Upon parliamentary approval, the new Electricity Act will facilitate the separation and restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) services and encourage private sector involvement in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. These reforms are part of the conditions set by the IMF for restructuring state-owned enterprises, including the CEB.
Ranjan Jayalal, Convener of the CEB United Trade Union Alliance, criticised the newly formulated electricity act, claiming it was drafted without input from industry experts. Jayalal argued that the amendments made to the act are superficial and fail to improve its provisions.
Describing the act as “disastrous,” Jayalal highlighted internal disagreements within the cabinet and noted that the proposal was introduced by the president rather than the Minister of Power and Energy. He vowed to prevent the implementation of the act, even if it passes in Parliament. “Unions from the banking, ports, railways, and other critical sectors will unite with us to defeat this act,” Jayalal declared.
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
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