News
SJB alleges Kanchana did away with 1% royalty on Sinopec, etc., to settle loans, passed debt burden on to consumers
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) trade unionist Ananda Palitha yesterday (15) said that Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera had abolished a Cabinet decision to impose 1% royalty on a month’s sales imposed on new entrants to the market China’s Sinopec, Australia’s United Petroleum and RM Parks of the USA. That was to be exclusively used to settle what the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owed its creditors, Palitha said.
However, having done away with 1% royalty on a request made by Sinopec, the debt burden had been conveniently passed on to consumers, the former UNP trade union activist said. United Petroleum and RM Parks are yet to launch operations here.
Palitha thanked Minister Wijesekera for publicly acknowledging that consumers of petrol and diesel have been made to pay Rs 50 per litre since the middle of last year to settle what the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owed its creditors.
Minister Wijesekera said this when Chamuditha Samarawickrema raised the issue on the ‘Salakuna’ live political programme on Hiru TV recently.
Palitha said that a litre of petrol 92 cost Rs. 366, Octane 95 Rs. 464, Auto Diesel Rs. 358 and Super Diesel Rs. 475 because the CPC passed its debt on to consumers. A litre of Kerosene is sold at Rs. 236.
Minister Wijesekera owed an explanation why he changed the agreement in favour of the companies, thereby heaping further burden on the hapless public. Responding to another query, the trade union leader emphasized instead of compelling consumers to pay an additional Rs 50 per litre the government should have extended the 1 % royalty to CPC and Lanka IOC as well.
Palitha said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government repeatedly assured consumers the entry of new suppliers would pave the way for quality products at an affordable price but the powers that be went to the extent of changing the original agreement to appease the Chinese.
Referring to Minister Wijesekera’s disclosure that USD 5 mn was being paid to Iran as Sri Lanka owed Teheran USD 240 mn for light crude purchases made two decades ago, Palitha said that during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure the CPC paid USD 35 mn for 90,000 mt of Iranian light crude. Alleging that deal had been conducted under controversial circumstances, at a time Teheran was under Western sanctions, Palitha said that though the payment was made at the time, the country did not receive the promised delivery of crude oil.
Palitha said that Iran never returned that money. Cash-strapped Sri Lanka should take up this issue with Iran, a friendly country always supportive of Sri Lanka, Palitha said, alleging that successive governments never made an attempt to recover USD 35 mn.
The trade union leader pointed out that the CPC should recover as much Rs 169 bn owed by several government institutions instead of fleecing the consumers. Of that amount, national carrier SriLankan alone owed Rs 110 bn in USD terms, Palitha said, urging the Cabinet-of-Ministers and the relevant Parliament watchdog committees to look into the matter.
Several years ago, consumers were made to pay Rs 1 per litre of petrol and diesel to settle CPC’s debt. One billion rupees had been allocated for that purpose regardless of the total amount collected, Palitha said. Now that amount had been raised to Rs 50 per litre of petrol and diesel, he added
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The 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 Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western 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 below 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.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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