News

NFE deal at risk over privilege matter raised by Ranil

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/21

by Saman Indrajith

A privilege matter raised by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament last week relating to the government’s agreement with US-based New Fortress Energy (NFE) places the entire deal at risk, parliamentary sources said.

Raising a privilege issue, Wickremesinghe claimed that the framework agreement between the Government and New Fortress Energy Sri Lanka Power Holdings LCC had been entered into in violation of the powers, privileges and immunity of Parliament. He called on the Government to make a full disclosure to the House.

The UNP leader identified clauses in the agreement breaching the powers and privileges of Parliament. Among these, Clause 8 on ‘Confidentiality and Announcement’, states that for five years, either party shall not without the prior written consent of the other parties disclose to any person any information.

The permitted disclosures are in regard to the order of a court, arbitration tribunal or an order or decree, rule and regulation of any ‘governmental authority’. “It makes reference to ‘governmental authority’, but Parliament is not a government authority. It is the legislature. Therefore, the minister cannot obtain information under this joint venture agreement for the purpose of disclosing it to Parliament,” Wickremesinghe said.

He requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to summon the Treasury Secretary, Directors of New Fortress Energy Sri Lanka Power Holdings LLC, and Attorney General to discuss the framework agreement on LNG supply.

Parliament sources said that once an MP presents a privilege matter in the House, the Speaker must announce within a couple of days that the matter would be referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament. “The Speaker did not make such an announcement so far,” a committee member told the Sunday Island.

“After it is referred to the committee it is for us to decide whether the privilege of an MP has been breached and recommend action. Given the prevailing situation, it is most likely the committee would rule in favour of the UNP leader because even some government members in the Privileges Committee have voiced their opposition to this agreement,” he said.

The 12-member Ethics and Privileges Committee of Parliament comprises of six from the government and six from the opposition. They are Tharaka Balasuriya, M .U. M. Ali Sabry, Vijitha Berugoda, Kanaka Herath, Anuradha Jayaratne, Kabir Hashim, G. G. Ponnambalam, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, A. Aravindh Kumar, Velu Kumar, Kokila Gunawardene, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Shan Vijayalal de Silva, C.V. Wigneswaran, Gevindu Cumaratunga and Prof. Ranjith Bandara.

Parliament sources said that the Article 4 (c) of the constitution provides an exception to the rule that judicial power of the people should be exercised by Parliament through the courts. In matters relating to parliamentary privileges, parliament itself directly exercises a degree of judicial power.

The provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No 21 of 1953 and its subsequent amendments, the Supreme Court as well as the Parliament has jurisdiction to hear cases relating to breaches of privileges.

The Ethics and Privileges Committee can examine all matters relating to privilege with reference to the facts of each case and decide whether there has been any breach, if so its nature and circumstances and make such recommendations as the committee may deem fit.

The committee is empowered to send for persons, documents and other records and do everything necessary for the fullest investigation of the matters referred to it, these sources said.

“The legitimacy of the agreement is being questioned and has already been challenged in the Supreme Court. There are some Privileges Committee members belonging to the government who consider that this agreement is against the national interest. It is most unlikely that the issue would be decided in favour of the government if Wickremesinghe’s privilege matter is referred to the committee by the Speaker.

“That will certainly upset the apple cart,” he said on Friday.

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Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district.

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.

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon. today [12]

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/12

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (12th) are Cheddikulam, Kebithigollewa, Gomarankadawala and Nilaveli about 12:11 noon.

News

CEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has directed owners of large-scale rooftop solar systems to temporarily disconnect their installations for a 10-day period beginning from Friday (April 10), citing growing concerns over grid stability amid low electricity demand and high solar generation.

The directive applies to rooftop solar systems exceeding 300 kW capacity, which are required to remain switched off until April 20. The move coincides with the extended holiday season, during which national electricity demand typically declines, alongside prevailing sunny weather conditions that significantly increase solar output.

Senior electrical engineers told The Island that the decision, though exceptional, was necessitated by operational risks posed to the national grid.

“We are seeing a pronounced imbalance between supply and demand,” a senior CEB system control engineer said. “With industries and commercial establishments operating at reduced levels during the holidays, demand drops. At the same time, solar generation remains high, creating excess power that the grid struggles to absorb.”

He explained that such imbalances could lead to fluctuations in system frequency, potentially threatening the stability of the grid. “If generation exceeds demand, frequency rises beyond acceptable limits.

This can trigger automatic protection mechanisms or, in extreme cases, lead to partial outages.”Another senior engineer attached to the transmission division noted that managing distributed solar generation remains a technical challenge.

“Unlike conventional power plants, rooftop solar systems are not centrally dispatchable. We cannot directly control their output in real time. This limits our ability to balance the system during periods of excess generation,” he said.

He added that the country’s grid infrastructure is still adapting to the rapid growth of renewable energy. “We lack sufficient large-scale battery storage and advanced grid management systems to effectively handle these fluctuations. Until such capabilities are enhanced, temporary curtailment becomes necessary.”

Engineers also pointed out that conventional thermal plants cannot be abruptly shut down or adjusted to compensate for sudden surges in solar generation.

“These plants require minimum stable operating levels. When solar floods the grid during low demand, it creates operational constraints that are not easy to manage,” one official said.

The CEB, in its statement, expressed appreciation for the cooperation of solar system owners affected by the measure, stressing that it is a short-term intervention aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and stable electricity supply across the country.

Energy experts say the development underscores the urgent need for grid modernization, including investment in battery energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, and improved demand-side management.

“This is part of the transition challenge,” an independent analyst noted. “As solar penetration increases, the grid must evolve to become more flexible. Otherwise, curtailment will remain a recurring necessity.”

Despite the temporary shutdown, CEB engineers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding renewable energy.

“Solar power is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s future energy mix,” a senior engineer said. “But integration must be carefully managed. Grid stability cannot be compromised.”

The temporary disconnection order, which took effect yesterday, marks a critical moment in Sri Lanka’s energy transition—highlighting both the progress made in renewable energy adoption and the technical hurdles that remain.

By Ifham Nizam