Business

The Darker Side and the Light at the end of the Energy Tunnel

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/27

Eng Parakrama Jayasinghe

Those of us who were hoping for some sanity to emerge in the energy sector were given a severe jolt on Dec. 15 on reading the press release from the Presidential Secretariat, presumably after the Presidents meeting with the Ministers and senior officials of the energy sector. This stated that His Excellency had given instructions to develop action plans to achieve the target of 70% contribution to the electricity sector by 2030 using Hydro, Solar Wind and LNG resources.

This was indeed a shock, as this portends an attempt to constrain the space available for the future development of true renewable energy, thus scuttling the President’s declared target.

Fortunately, good sense has prevailed and an amended press release appeared next day without the reference to LNG as part of the 70% R E Target by 2030. It is also a matter of comfort to listen to the recordings of the above meeting, where the president was very clear in his instructions citing only Hydro, Wind and Solar as the renewable energy sources. But it is a matter of concern to us why Bio Energy which has none of the impediments of Solar and Wind, but has multiple spin off benefits, and has all the attributes of a source of firm power available 24/7 throughout the year, continues to be ignored. Fortunately there is an interest to accelerate the implementation of the many stalled renewable energy projects, thus setting the country on the correct path.

Role and Acceptability of LNG

Natural Gas is certainly not a renewable energy resource. But is it a “Clean” source of energy? Certainly it is a lot “Cleaner” than both coal and oil and is free from some most toxic components such as sulfur, lead, mercury and a plethora of heavy metals and radioactive nucleoids present in coal. But it will certainly emit

* 50% of carbon emissions compared to Coal not zero carbon as in case of Solar and Wind

* Significant amounts of Oxides of Nitrogen

* Potential fugitive emissions of Methane prior to combustion which is 23 time more potent than Carbon Dioxide.

In Sri Lanka’s context, what is even more important is the fact it is an imported resource subject to the vagaries of price fluctuations and the parity rate of exchange, continuing to compromise our energy security. LNG is the lesser evil, and in the light of the CEBs reluctance accept the vast strides in technology which has made it possible for both wind and solar to be upgraded to firm sources of electricity generation, and due to the lack of any significant additions to the generation capacity for over five years, limited use of Natural Gas may have to be viewed as an interim option.

Questions Needing Urgent Answers

However, a very severe uncertainty of the source and the means of supplying the LNG necessary to operate the 300 MW LNG plant remains unresolved, and appears to be ignored, according to the information available to the general public. Sri Lanka escaped a potential disaster by not proceeding with an unsolicited proposal to set up a Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) and a contract to supply LNG for 20 years on terms totally disadvantageous to us. But the million dollar questions remains unanswered:

1. What is the means of supplying LNG to the proposed 300 MW power plant at Kerawalapitiya?

2. Under whose control will such supplies, presumably from an FSRU operate, and which is the location chosen?

3. If the gas supplies are not available by the time the power plant is commissioned, will the plant be operated with diesel or some other oil and for how long?

4. What will be the extra cost of using such alternate fuels and who will bear the extra cost above the tendered price of Rs 14.85 per unit?

5. In the absence of any plans of resolving such issues, is the government still pursuing options for more LNG plants with India and Japan and now with the USA?

With such a plethora of unanswered questions, even assuming that Sri Lanka will be obliged to proceed with the first 300 MW LNG plant, at least as a means of avoiding any more ruinous emergency power options, isn’t it time to take a very close look at the need or the justification for any further use of LNG ?

As usual Sri Lanka has missed the bus in this instance too. If the first LNG plant was initiated and a viable means of supplying the LNG was initiated in 2016, we could have avoided depending on emergency power for at least two years up to now, and it would have improved the space for greater level of integration of Solar and Wind to the national grid and the consequent reduction of the huge losses incurred by the CEB annually.

Hope for the Future

But on a happier note, the world did not stand still, and technologies are now available to iron out variability and seasonal and diurnal nature of wind and solar energy . For example the State Minister is keen to launch the 100 MW Solar park at Siyambalanduwa and a further 100 MW of solar and 150 MW of wind power in Pooneryn very early. It is very likely that all these projects will generate electricity at costs less than Rs 10.00 per unit. Therefore the addition of adequate battery storage is feasible to at least serve the peak loads as well as to make them sources of firm power. The resultant cost may not surpass the Rs 14.85 per unit expected from the LNG plant.

A place for Prosumers and Electricity as a National Industry

In addition the innovative program of State Minister Duminda Dissanayake to provide 5 kW rooftop solar systems to 100,000 Samurdhi recipients without burdening the treasury is a major paradigm shift in the electricity sector whereby the smallest level of consumer becomes a generator of electricity for his own consumption with a significant surplus and thus becomes a PROSUMER whereby the Electricity Industry becomes a contributor to the GDP instead of being a mere facility for other sectors to grow. With a total of 1.6 Million Samurdhi recipients, the future potential for growth of this program is immense

As a further step in this direction the program to install micro Solar Parks of 100 kW linked to 10,000 distribution transformers will make the Electricity generation a national industry adding further to the GDP. These two programs would add 1,500 MW of Solar PV and create vast employment opportunities.

We earnestly request Minster Dulles Alahapperuma and State Minister Duminda Dissanayake to very seriously evaluate this possibility. This will enable the president to plan for the next goal of 100 % RE

E Mail parajayasingle@gmail.com

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Business

Tax revenue rebound seen as reshaping SL’s sovereign risk outlook

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando

Sri Lanka’s improving tax performance is reshaping its sovereign risk outlook. With the tax-to-GDP ratio rebounding to 15.4% from pre-crisis lows near 10%, markets are seeing early signs that fiscal consolidation is becoming structurally anchored—supporting debt sustainability, IMF programme credibility and a gradual return to capital markets.

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said on Monday that tax revenue is on track to reach 16% of GDP by the end of this year, marking one of the strongest fiscal reversals in the country’s recent history. Speaking at a ceremony at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to present appointment letters to 100 newly recruited Assistant Commissioners, he said all three main revenue-collecting agencies—the IRD, Sri Lanka Customs and the Excise Department—have exceeded their annual targets.

From a macroeconomic standpoint, the recovery in revenue mobilisation reduces Sri Lanka’s reliance on debt accumulation, monetary financing and ad hoc tax measures—key vulnerabilities highlighted during the economic crisis. Dr. Fernando said the Government’s medium-term objective of lifting the tax-to-GDP ratio to 20% is achievable if credibility in fiscal governance continues to improve.

He attributed the revenue surge primarily to the restoration of trust between the state and taxpayers rather than to technology or enforcement alone. Improved compliance, he said, reflects growing confidence that public funds are being managed transparently and directed towards development priorities, reversing years of entrenched tax evasion linked to weak governance.

Fernando also stressed the correlation between higher tax ratios and lower corruption, noting that Sri Lanka’s revenue base had eroded sharply during periods of institutional decay. The recent rebound, he said, signals renewed accountability and more disciplined public financial management.

On public sector reform, he rejected the narrative that the public service is inherently a fiscal burden, arguing that inefficiencies stemmed from decades of politically motivated recruitment. The government, he said, is now rebuilding the public service through merit-based, competitive recruitment, aligned with broader public sector transformation and fiscal capacity. The newly appointed officers, he added, will play a critical role in strengthening revenue administration and policy implementation.

Turning to structural growth constraints, Dr. Fernando highlighted low labour force participation—particularly among women—as a key drag on income expansion and future revenue potential. Despite women accounting for a majority of the population, female participation remains below 30%, limiting productivity growth and narrowing the tax base. Raising participation levels, he said, is essential to sustaining higher growth over the medium term.

He also stressed the importance of simplifying the tax system to improve predictability and compliance while ensuring all eligible taxpayers are captured. Sustainable revenue growth, he reiterated, must come from broadening the base rather than imposing excessive burdens on a narrow segment of taxpayers.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

WTS IPO opens tomorrow

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of WealthTrust Securities Limited (WTS) will open tomorrow, inviting the public to subscribe for 71,548,244 Ordinary Voting Shares at an Issue Price of LKR 7.00 per share. Through the Issue, WTS seeks to raise a total of LKR 500,837,708, with the Company’s shares expected to be listed on the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

WTS is a Primary Dealer authorised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and is also licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka as a Stock Broker (Debt) and Stock Dealer (Debt). The proceeds of the IPO are intended to further strengthen the Company’s core capital buffer and support the expansion of its investment and trading portfolio in government securities, enhancing capacity to manage market and interest rate risk while supporting sustained value creation.

The Issue is being managed by Asia Securities Advisors (Private) Limited as Manager and Financial Advisor to the Issue. With the offering priced at a discount to valuation benchmarks cited in the Prospectus, and with broad-based interest typically seen in well-positioned capital market listings, WTS enters its opening day with positive sentiment and strong anticipation among prospective investors.

Business

CBC Finance lists on the Colombo Stock Exchange

Published

23 hours ago

2025/12/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

(Left – Right): Delakshan Hettiarachchi, Executive Director and Acting CEO – CBC Finance Ltd; Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director and CEO – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC; Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO – CSE; Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman –Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC & CBC Finance Ltd; Sarath Jayasuriya, Senior Director – CBC Finance Ltd; Ms. Nilupa Perera, CRO – CSE; Akila Karunarathne, Manager – Investment Banking – Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

CBC Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC commemorated its listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) by way of the issuance of LKR 1.5 bn worth of debentures by the ceremonial ringing of the market opening bell on the CSE trading floor.

CBC Finance Ltd raised LKR 1.5 Bn on 27th November 2025 with an oversubscription of an issue of 15 Mn Listed Rated Unsecured Subordinated Redeemable Debentures for a tenure of five years and a fixed interest rate of 11.50% p.a. payable annually (AER 11.50%), with a par value of LKR 100/- and an issue rating of “BBB+(lka)” by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited.

Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of CBC Finance Ltd and the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, who was the events keynote speaker remarked upon the companies listing and CBC Finance’s role, commenting: “We are a key part of the economy. The development of the capital market is essential for the economic growth of the country. Thus, through this debenture issue, we encourage investors to participate in the development of the capital markets which is a key driver of economic growth.”

Delivering her welcome address at the event, Ms. Nilupa Perera, Chief Regulatory Officer of CSE, remarked upon the wide array of products CSE offers, stating: “The Colombo Stock Exchange has introduced several innovative instruments, from Shariah compliant debt instruments to GSS+ instruments – Green bonds, Social Bonds, Blue Bonds, sustainable and sustainability linked bonds, perpetual bonds and high yield debenture bonds. We hope that CBC Finance Ltd will use CSE to raise capital through these instruments.”

CBC Finance Ltd., formerly known as Indra Finance Ltd. and subsequently re-named as Serendib Finance Ltd., was acquired by Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC in 2014. The company was established in 1987 as Indra Finance Ltd and has 21 branches island wide, delivering a wide range of financial services to Individual and SME segments, and enjoys an A (lka) Stable from Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited. In the financial year 2024, the company recorded a net profit of LKR 82 Mn and successfully expanded its Total Asset Base to LKR 17 bn. Its parent company, The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, was named Sri Lanka’s Best Trade Finance Bank at the prestigious Euromoney Transaction Banking Awards 2025.