News

Proposed power tariffs increase put off for next week

Published

3 years ago

2023/01/4

By Ifham Nizam

The proposed increase in electricity tariffs has been postponed until next week by the Cabinet- of-Ministers, yesterday, amidst protests.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said that the matter would be taken up by the Cabinet-of-Ministers next Monday.

He also said that the CEB makes operating profits due to an increase in hydropower generation and it is not due to the tariff adjustments done in August.

Minister Wjiesekera has said in a message that the proposed Electricity tariff revision was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

He said that he had briefed the ministers on the requirements, proposed tariff structure, energy forecast and finances. “The decision was extended by one week for the Cabinet-of-Ministers to make their observations on the proposal,” he said.

Since the last electricity tariff hike in August, the Power and Energy Ministry has justified the proposal for another tariff hike on the grounds that even at the current tariff level, the CEB will still incur a loss of approximately Rs. 287 billion in 2023. The hike is also necessary if the CEB is to provide power, in 2023, without imposing power cuts, according to the proposal.

However, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has come out strongly against moves to impose yet another tariff hike.

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake insisted that the regulator is not bound to follow any Cabinet directive, instructing it to approve the CEB’s request for a tariff hike.

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Related Topics:Kanchana Wijesekara Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

Latest News

Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

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