News
TUs: Launching ECT operations on 01 July an impossible target
The government’s much-publicised plan to launch operations at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port on 01 July — the first key development initiative promised by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — will not be achievable, according to port unionists
The ongoing mismanagement and political interference by NPP appointees at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have caused major setbacks, rendering the presidential commitment unachievable within the promised timeline, trade unions affiliated to the Opposition have alleged.
The SLPA’s Managing Director earlier informed the SLPA Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and key stakeholders in the maritime sector that ECT operations would commence by June 30. This led President Dissanayake to announce July 1 as the date of the launch. However, union leaders say it was a premature move.
“There is no way this terminal can be launched by July 1. Civil construction is still incomplete. No workers have been recruited. No officers or operational managers have been appointed. Even the key tender to procure straddle carriers — essential equipment for container handling — has been cancelled by the new management, and no new tender has been called,” said Sharmal Sumanaratne, General Secretary of the Ports, Commerce, Industries, and Progressive Workers’ Union.
Sumanaratne further warned that international shipping lines had already been informed of the launch date, but many were now closely monitoring the situation and were aware that the ECT was far from ready. “This uncertainty is harming the credibility of Sri Lanka’s shipping industry on the global stage,” he said.
Chairperson of the Jathika Sevaka Sangmaya’s Colombo Port Branch Thushari Priyanka said: “For a terminal of this scale, credibility is everything. Around USD 1 billion have already been spent, but without proper equipment and a functioning management structure; this project is becoming a financial and reputational liability.”
Priyanka added that the cancellation of the tender for 30 straddle carriers alone would delay the commencement of operations by at least 18 months. “Even if we call for tenders today, it takes over a year for the machines to be delivered, tested, and operational on the ground.”
President of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya Indika Samarawickrama said the terminal’s masterplan had also been arbitrarily changed by politically appointed managers loyal to the NPP. “Altering the original masterplan without a clear vision or technical expertise will result in more financial losses and future operational crises,” he warned.
President of the Eksath Sevaka Sangamaya Dickson Gomes raised concerns about human resources management within SLPA. “Arbitrary transfers and politically motivated appointments — especially by the current Managing Director, a known JVP/NPP affiliate — have led to chaos within the HR structure. Human capital is the most vital element of port efficiency, and it’s being dismantled.”
He said that under the current conditions and leadership, the ECT was unlikely to be fully operational as a semi-automated terminal for at least another 18 months — and possibly longer.
Attempts to contact SLPA Chairman, retired Admiral S. S. Ranasinghe, were not successful.
by Chaminda Silva
Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.
NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.
The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.
The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.
The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.
The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.
A valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will be required for a range of key transactions in Sri Lanka from November 1, 2026, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced.
The requirement, introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, applies to transactions specified under Section 102(3) of the Inland Revenue Act.
Accordingly, individuals will be required to produce a valid TIN Certificate when opening an account at a bank or financial institution, obtaining approval for a building plan, registering or renewing the licence of a motor vehicle, registering land or title to land, registering a business, transferring shares in a company incorporated in Sri Lanka or obtaining a credit card.
In the case of share transfers, both the transferor and transferee will be required to provide TIN certificates.
The IRD said officials handling such transactions had been instructed to ensure that a valid TIN Certificate was submitted before processing or completing the relevant transaction.
The Department advised those who do not already have a TIN to obtain one in advance through its e-Services platform.
It said a printout of the TIN verification result showing the applicant’s National Identity Card number and TIN could also be accepted instead of the certificate.The IRD also reiterated that obtaining a TIN is mandatory for resident individuals aged 18 and above under the applicable provisions.
By Norman Palihawadane
The Sri Lanka Navy brought 25 Indonesian fishermen safely ashore at the Colombo Port on Thursday (24), following a multi-agency rescue operation after their fishing trawler capsized south of Sri Lanka.
The fishermen were aboard the Indonesian-flagged fishing trawler KM Garuda Jaya VI, which capsized on September 22 while in the Australian Search and Rescue Region, leaving the crew in distress at sea.
The merchant vessel MV Moonstone responded to the distress situation and rescued all 25 fishermen from the sea. The vessel subsequently alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo about the incident and the rescued crew.
Following the distress alert, the Navy coordinated with MRCC Colombo and deployed two naval craft to bring the survivors safely to shore, with the assistance of relevant authorities.
The 25 fishermen were transferred to the Colombo Port, where they were provided with humanitarian assistance by the Navy.They were subsequently handed over to the Indonesian Embassy in Sri Lanka for further arrangements and onward action.
22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority
TIN mandatory for key transactions from Nov. 1
Navy brings 25 Indonesian fishermen ashore after trawler capsizes
Former Mineral Sands Chairman arrested over recruitment irregularities
Sarana Gunawardena’s wife remanded over alleged bribe
High Posts Committee approves envoy, High Commissioner and SLIC Chairman
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoNamal Rajapaksa Buddhist gambit fails, bail denied
-
Features6 days agoWhy the spelling Sri Lankan names in English vary
-
Features6 days agoThree bands, a new identity: Sri Lankan wolf snake recognised as distinct species
-
Business6 days agoSLIIT holds largest-ever convocation
-
News6 days agoVehicle prices drop by up to Rs. 1 mn, says importers’ body
-
News6 days agoGovt monitors reported Saudi death sentence – Foreign Ministry
-
Business6 days agoAll-new Bolero MaXX Pik-Up unveiled in Lanka
-
Business6 days agoLanka’s famed beach shack battles demolition