News

USD 3.76mn contracts for empty LPG cylinders:

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Not a political decision says co-cabinet spokesman

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Co-cabinet spokesperson, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday (10) at the Information Department that contract for the supply of four types of empty metal cylinder containers to the Litro Gas Lanka had been awarded in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Finance.

Lawmaker Gammanpila, who is also the leader of Pivuthu Hela Urumaya, said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed the awarding of the contracts to the cabinet on the recommendation of the Cabinet-appointed Standing Procurement Committee.

Having explained the decision making process, the lawmaker emphasized that it was not a political decision. The minister said that the English note as regards the awarding of contracts had differed from the Sinhala statement, hence the confusion.

Minister Gammanpila said so when The Island sought an explanation as regards the contradictory nature of notes in Sinhala and English made available to journalists at the commencement of the press conference.

According to a cabinet decision taken on September 9, a contract worth USD 2.18 mn had been awarded to M/S Metal Mate Company Limited for the supply of 22,000 (2.3 kg), 105,056 (12.5 kg) and 1,260 (37.5 kg) whereas Sahamitr Containers Public Company Limited won USD 1.58 mn worth contract for the supply of 117,040 cylinders (5kg).

During the question and answer session, Minister Gammanpila as well as Minister Keheliya Rambukwella explained the circumstances under which the government was seeking to re-schedule foreign debt. The media was told of continuing difficulties experienced due to major economies, too, being affected by the corona pandemic. Minister Gammanpila said that the country was in dire straits for want of sufficient dollars. The minister pointed out that the imports had to be drastically restricted due to the crisis situation. The minister said that the current policy had to be continued until the problem could be settled. If the status of the Rupee deteriorated further the situation would be far worse.

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Showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/2

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02 SEPTEMBER 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 02 September 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for afternoon thundershowers in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces in the next few days.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Mullaitivu district after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the Central hills, the North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Matale districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon today (02)

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/2

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (02) are Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon.

News

SC rejects petitioners’ request for full bench

Published

4 hours ago

2026/09/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request that the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the request, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena said the consideration of the petitions would proceed before the five-judge bench.

Appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran made the request when the petitions were called for hearing yesterday before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Surasena.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Ali Sabry, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Eraj de Silva, Srinath Perera, Anura Meddegoda, and Maithri Gunaratne, along with other counsel appearing for several other petitioners, also made the same request.

Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, pointed out that the authority to determine the composition of a judicial bench rested with the Chief Justice. Refering to Article 132(3) of the Constitution, the Solicitor General argued that the discretion to determine the number of judges on a bench lay with the Chief Justice and that no other party had the authority to interfere in the matter.

Counsel including President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch, appearing for an intervening petitioner, also made submissions pointing out that the discretion to determine the composition of a bench rested with the Chief Justice.