Business

Sri Lankans served with untruths to deprive them of cheaper electricity – senior energy expert

Published

3 years ago

2023/12/27

By Ifham Nizam

All possible untruths have been uttered to deprive Sri Lanka of cheaper electricity in the proposed power sector reforms, senior energy expert Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya warned recently.

Speaking at a forum titled, “Reforms for a Sustainable Power Sector for the Next Generation,” on December 21 at Hotel Galadari, Dr. Siyambalapitiya stressed that the proposed Act does not promote competition, for renewables and stranded renewables, for example, to ultimately help the customer in the form of a price drop.

Siyambalapitiya said that bidding for renewables will not work. Speaking on the topic, “Will the Draft Solve the Problems in the Sector,” he also said Sri Lankan investors have no money to invest; “hence, foreign investors have to come; wind and solar energy must be paid for in US dollars.”

Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka committee member appointed to oversee ‘Power Sector Reform Studies’, Pubudu Niroshan, told The Island Financial Review that following the successful completion of the forum, “Reforms for a Sustainable Power Sector for the Next Generation,” the Electrical Engineering Society of the University of Moratuwa (EESoc) submitted its recommendations to the Minister of Power and Energy and Power Sector Reforms Secretariat.

Niroshan added: ‘The forum garnered unanimous agreement on the necessity for power sector reforms.

‘However, participants emphasized the importance of genuine consultation and stakeholder engagement. In this regard, the revision of the gazette Act was identified as crucial to address; *key omissions and unnecessary additions*, ensuring its effectiveness in achieving lasting positive outcomes.

‘Any reform or change should be done with an objective and built on a model featuring our strengths and opportunities; not for weaknesses and threats, not for interests of individuals.

‘The process of reform should be transparent and with genuine consultation of stakeholders and absorption of their valued inputs.

‘If the proposed model is towards a Competitive Generation Market, Wholesale Market and the Retail Market; the key elements are the (i) Independent System Operator (ii) Competitive Power Generation and (iii) Strong backbone of Transmission Network.”

‘However, with the proposed draft, the proposed system operator is not independent; it will be fully dependent and controlled by the minister; minister will get arbitrary/ veto power on planning, procurement, tariff and all electrical sector decisions.

‘Though sections of the Act mention competitiveness, the proposed separation of the CEB into companies will make monopolies in coal, LNG (Future) power generation and also in energy storage systems.

‘Privatizing CEB transmission assets up to 50%, then allowing separate private owned transmission lines and substations in strategic locations will make our power network weak.

‘Establishing multiple standalone companies with government ownership can result in loss of control and governance in the electricity sector. It is recommended to establish a government owned public company holding the shares currently held by GoSL in generation, transmission, distribution, and other electricity sector companies as a strong parent company.

‘The Proposed National Electricity Advisory Council is an Appendix. It is of no relevance in the proposed structural change in the electricity sector model either technically or financially or economically. It is just another body created to get the powers into the hand of minister/ government to control the sector. It is a reverse of reforms.

‘If the requirement for a ‘National Electricity Advisory Council’ is justified with a national objective, including preparation of national electricity policy, issue of policy guidelines, review of the long-term power system development plan and the tariff policy, then, it should be an independent council established by obtaining the observations of the Constitutional Council for nomination by the minister/ President.

‘Most importantly, limit the advisory council to advise minister/ President/ Gov., but not the regulator or system operator. This can be separately established out of this New Electricity Act. ‘

The mentioned forum was co-hosted by EESoc and IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter with academics of the Universities of Moratuwa and Peradeniya. It brought together diverse stakeholders from the legislative, academic and industrial sectors to engage in constructive dialogue on the crucial topic of power sector reforms.

Panelists comprised Eng. Nihal Wickramasuriya, Retired General Manager, CEB and Reforms Manager (2002-2006), Prof. Asanka Rodrigo, Professor in Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Prof. Lilantha Samaranayake, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Managing Director, Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd and Eng. Pubudu Niroshan, Co-Founder Minel Lanka and Director of Nexgen Lanka (Guarantee) Limited.

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Charting a worker-centered AI future: Colombo hosts landmark ITF conference

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/21

Thilina Walpola

The ITF’s first-ever AI-focused global conference and the first of its kind hosted in Sri Lanka

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Artificial intelligence and automation present serious challenges for workers – such as job consequences seen in docks and rail systems – and emphasises that workers cannot simply stop technological progress. By gathering young trade unionists in Sri Lanka, the ITF aims to establish key principles for engaging with technology, ensuring workers have a strong voice at the bargaining table, and encouraging constructive social dialogue with corporations and governments.

These compelling words from ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton underscored the urgent reality facing modern labor as rapid technological advancements sweep across global industries.

Confronting this shifting landscape head-on, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in partnership with the National Union of Seafarers of Sri Lanka (NUSS), convened a ground-breaking conference on artificial intelligence in Colombo from September 15–17.

As the ITF’s first-ever AI-focused global conference and the first of its kind hosted in Sri Lanka, the landmark event marked a critical milestone in balancing technological innovation with worker-centered safeguards.

Representing over 16.6 million transport workers worldwide, the ITF designed the gathering to tackle the multifaceted impacts of AI on safety, operations, workforce development, and governance. Rather than resisting progress, the conference focused on proactive engagement, establishing guiding principles to protect workers’ rights and privacy both at sea and on land.

Key discussions centred on sharing best practices for upskilling and reskilling transport personnel, ensuring that human oversight remains central to AI-driven logistics, routing, and maintenance.

Reflecting on the historic nature of the event, Boa Athu, CEO of National Union of Seafarers Asia Pacific, noted that the conference represented a monumental moment as AI emerges as a permanent fixture of contemporary life.

Highlighting NUSS’s pride in hosting the event in Colombo, Athu emphasised that AI offers transformative potential when guided by strong social dialogue, equitable access to training, and robust governance safeguards.

Ultimately, the Colombo conference demonstrated that the future of transport must be shaped by those who keep the world moving. By uniting international labour leaders, affiliates, port operators, and regulators, the event laid a vital foundation for inclusive policy frameworks that champion fair labour standards, securing a powerful voice for workers in an automated tomorrow.

Business

Bridging the digital divide: Sri Lanka’s airport licence challenge

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/21

Thilina Walpola

As tourism surges from digitally advanced markets like India, modern independent travelers arriving at BIA find themselves caught in a mismatch between cloudstored credentials and local paper-based transport protocols.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

As Sri Lanka experiences a surge in visitors from its largest tourist market, India, a modern administrative hurdle has emerged at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

While nations like India and Pakistan have successfully transitioned to fully digital driving licences and cashless ecosystems, Sri Lanka’s Department of Motor Traffic counter still requires a physical card to issue temporary local permits, The Island Financial Review learns.

This mismatch creates significant friction for independent travelers who rely entirely on smartphones and cloud-stored credentials. Tourists turned away at the airport – and sometimes redirected to the Werahera office in vain – find themselves unable to legally rent and drive vehicles. Consequently, this policy gap harms local car rental operators, causes tourist frustration, and deprives the government of valuable permit revenue.

The situation highlights a distinct irony: Sri Lankan motorists easily travel abroad using International Driving Permits that are readily accepted in India and Pakistan, yet local infrastructure cannot reciprocate due to outdated verification systems.

Recognizing the problem, Department of Motor Traffic officials have noted that upgrades and new equipment are currently in the works to integrate foreign digital platforms.

For a nation aggressively pursuing a national digitalisation drive, rapidly modernising these transport protocols is essential to keeping pace with global travelers and unlocking the full potential of its tourism economy.

Business

International Afro-Latin Dance Festival in Colombo to grow into a larger regional tourism draw

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/21

Thilina Walpola

Founder X Director – ALIF – J D RUBAN

ALIF-SL, Sri Lanka’s first-ever international Afro-Latin dance festival, returns for its 4th edition from 25 to 27 September 2026 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. The festival will bring together over 30 international and national artists and 175–200 participants from more than 20 countries, reaffirming its place as the region’s leading platform for Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba.

This year’s edition is headlined by Tropical Gem, the world’s No. 1 salsa team, travelling from Italy to perform and teach alongside a stellar international line-up. Attendees can also look forward to the ALIF Cup Sri Lanka Open, a keenly contested competition judged by an international panel, giving local dancers a rare opportunity to compete and connect with world-class talent.

“Every year, ALIF connects Sri Lanka to the world. With this year’s artist line-up and the ALIF Cup competition, we’re not just hosting a festival, we’re putting Sri Lanka on the map as a top destination for dance,” said JD Ruban, Founder and Director of ALIF-SL

Beyond the dance floor, ALIF-SL continues to support Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, drawing dancers, judges and enthusiasts from across the globe to Colombo and positioning the capital as an emerging regional hub for social dance. Organizers plan to grow the festival into a larger regional tourism draw, introduce new competition categories, and bring in even bigger headline acts in future editions.