News
Govt. warns of possible power interruptions in future
Sri Lanka may face electricity interruptions in the future, despite ongoing efforts to maintain an uninterrupted supply, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday (17).
Responding to a query by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said that thus far, no power cuts had been imposed despite fuel-related challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East. However, he cautioned that such a situation could emerge if prevailing conditions worsen.
“We have maintained a continuous electricity supply. Nevertheless, a time may come when power cuts become unavoidable,” he said.
Delivering a special statement, the Minister also provided an update on the country’s fuel reserves under normal consumption patterns, noting that current stocks, together with confirmed shipments, were expected to sustain supplies in the short term.
Accordingly, diesel stocks are projected to last until April 12, while super diesel reserves are sufficient until May 10. Octane 92 petrol is expected to remain available until April 23, and Octane 95 petrol until May 10.
Minister Jayakody said these estimates included fuel already in storage as well as consignments from three vessels currently in port, adding that steps were being taken to ensure continuity of supply.
The Minister noted that discussions were ongoing with existing suppliers to secure timely deliveries, while efforts are also underway to identify new sources. Proposals submitted by multiple suppliers were under evaluation, he said, as the government was seeking to mitigate risks posed by global uncertainties.
He stressed that authorities were taking all necessary measures to manage the situation under prevailing international conditions and to ensure that essential fuel requirements are met in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa urged the government to remove taxes imposed on fuel, arguing that relief should be passed on to consumers through price reductions rather than increases.
He said it was unjustifiable to raise prices on existing stocks and called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT), the Social Security Contribution Levy, Excise Duty, Customs Import Duty and the Special Commodity Levy on fuel.
Premadasa recalled that the present administration had come to power pledging to supply fuel at prices equivalent to the landing cost at the port, and urged it to honour that commitment.
By Saman Indrajith
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura districts
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 17 March 2026, valid for 18 March 2026.
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura districts.
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
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (17) recorded a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the allocation of a house for a maid working at the residence of the then Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, PC.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Secretary to the Ministry Defence and Urban Development, allegedly authorised the allocation of the house on the recommendation of the CJ during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term. The Rajapaksa government brought in Peiris as the Chief Justice after impeaching Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake in January 2013.
The allocation of the house was made by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), following the mandatory examination of the request, sources said, adding that during that time the government had launched several mega housing projects in Colombo and its suburbs to accommodate those living in shanties, etc.
CIABOC is expected to record a statement from ex-CJ Peiris who subsequently served as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
As part of the assistance extended by the Government of India towards rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, a four-member technical delegation of health experts from Sri Lanka visited India recently.
The Indian HC said: “The delegation studied the Indian models of Medical Kiosks/Health ATMs, Mobile Diagnostic Laboratories and the telemedicine platform ‘eSanjeevani’ to explore replicating these initiatives in Sri Lanka in order to strengthen the local healthcare delivery system.
During the visit, the delegation participated in a series of technical sessions organized by premier Indian institutions like National Health Authority, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). Visits were arranged for the delegation to Combined Hospital at Loni, Ghaziabad, and Civil Hospital, Sector 10, Gurugram as part of exposure to India’s digital health ecosystem. Demonstrations were conducted on Mobile Health Kiosks / Health ATMs, including basic diagnostics and their role in strengthening primary healthcare delivery. The Sri Lankan experts were also provided an overview of India’s highly successful Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. A live teleconsultation through eSanjeevani was demonstrated, highlighting the integration of remote consultations with digital health records.
The initiative reflects the continued robust cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in strengthening healthcare delivery systems, particularly in vulnerable areas, and supporting recovery efforts among affected communities.”
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Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura districts
Showers above 50 mm can be expected at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Anuradhapura district
CIABOC questions Ex-President GR on house for CJ’s maid
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