News
Media presence at power powwow makes some officials uncomfortable
By Ifham Nizam
Two representatives of campaigners for renewable energy and an official representing the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce felt uneasy to witness journalists being invited for a discussion on Ceylon Electricity Board End User Tariff held at the CEB Headquarters in Colombo yesterday.
However, the Electrical Engineering Society of the University of Moratuwa (EESoc), which is one of the major stakeholders in policy drafting, insisted that the media be there as they wanted transparency in something of paramount importance.
CEB Acting General Manager Dr. Narendra de Silva said that they intended to make the next
tariff submission to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka shortly. Prior to it, the CEB Board of Management intended to obtain comments and concerns of stakeholders, he said.
CEB Deputy General Manager/ Spokesman Eng. Noel Priyantha defended the presence of media personnel saying that there was nothing to hide. However, journalists moved away respecting the privacy of some by saying, they would ascertain information about the meeting from their sources.
It is understood that once the CEB submits the facts and data relating to the call to bring down the electricity tariff, the regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL), will make the final decision soon.
The CEB has claimed that it incurred a loss of Rs. 16.8 billion in September, 2023. However, in November, it earned a profit of Rs. 31.8 billion.
The CEB intended to pass on the benefit of the hydropower bonus to the public at the earliest, a spokesman said.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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