News

AKD admits import of substandard coal, blames technicalities and supplier

Published

2 months ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

President

… announces temporary relief package

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday acknowledged in Parliament that the import of substandard coal had adversely impacted electricity generation.

“There’s an issue with the coal. That’s true,” the President said, addressing the House.

President Dissanayake maintained that the problem had not arisen from the tender process but from the failure of the supplier to deliver coal that met the required standards. “The issue did not arise from the tender process. It resulted from the supplier’s failure to deliver coal that met the required standards. I would also like to point out that coal is not tested by individuals through simple inspection or personal judgment; it is examined in certified laboratories,” he said.

The President went on to say that coal shipments are tested through certified laboratories before dispatch, and an initial payment of 80 percent was made after receiving laboratory certification confirming that the coal meets stipulated specifications.

The President said the balance 20 percent was released only after a second verification carried out by an Indian laboratory selected for the purpose in 2023. Tests had revealed that three shipments failed to meet the required specifications.

The President added that although some shipments had passed laboratory tests, operational assessments at the power plant indicated that the coal was not performing to the expected standard. As a result, the government had withheld the remaining payments for certain consignments, imposed penalties on some suppliers, and in a few instances suspended even the initial 80 percent payment.

He said the use of substandard coal would increase electricity generation costs as the shortfall would have to be compensated by alternative sources, such as diesel. However, he assured Parliament that the additional costs would be recovered from the coal suppliers and would not be passed on to consumers.

The President also said the government expected to receive the fourth and fifth tranches of financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund by the end of May. He told Parliament that Sri Lanka hoped to reach a staff-level agreement with the IMF by Thursday, which would enable the country to secure about USD 700 million in funding.

Meanwhile, the President announced a temporary increase in cash assistance under the Aswesuma welfare programme to provide relief to low-income households during the April festive season.

He said the government continued to face challenges in accurately identifying eligible beneficiaries but noted that Aswesuma remained the only available framework to determine eligibility. Under the scheme, current benefit categories include payments of Rs. 17,500, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000.

For April, the Rs. 17,500 allowance will be increased by Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 25,000, while the Rs. 10,000 payment will rise by Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000. Beneficiaries in the transitional category will receive an additional Rs. 2,500. The temporary increases are expected to cost the Treasury about Rs. 8.5 billion and will apply only for the month of April.

Addressing electricity tariffs, the President said the adjustment that came into effect on April 1 had been determined earlier and was not linked to the present crisis. According to him, the increase for households consuming less than 30 units amounts to about Rs. 15 per month, while other tier increases translate to approximately Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.50 per day.

He said the government had considered three options to manage rising electricity costs: requiring the Ceylon Electricity Board to absorb the losses, transferring the burden entirely to the Treasury, or passing the cost on to consumers. Instead, the government opted for a shared approach involving the State, the public and the national power system operator.

Under this arrangement, consumers using less than 90 units of electricity will receive a subsidy during the next tariff revision. The government has allocated Rs. 5 billion per month for the programme, amounting to Rs. 15 billion over three months. The President said losses in the electricity sector during the same period were estimated at about Rs. 32 billion.

Turning to agriculture, the President outlined measures to stabilise fertiliser supply amid rising global prices. He said the Department of Agriculture currently held about 14,000 metric tonnes of urea imported at the previous price, while private companies also possessed stocks.

Following discussions with fertiliser suppliers, companies had agreed to release all remaining stocks purchased at the old price to Agrarian Service Centres. These quantities, together with government stocks, are expected to be sufficient for two paddy cultivation seasons.

However, fertiliser required for the third season would have to be imported at higher prices. The President said recent offers for urea ranged from USD 680 to USD 850 per metric tonne.

To cushion farmers from price increases, the government has decided to sell fertiliser for the third season at a fixed price of Rs. 10,200 per bag despite the estimated market price ranging between Rs. 13,500 and Rs. 14,000. The Treasury will absorb the difference, amounting to roughly Rs. 3,000 per bag, at a total estimated cost of about Rs. 1.7 billion.

The President also announced increases in fertiliser subsidies. Farmers cultivating paddy will receive Rs. 30,000 per hectare, up from Rs. 25,000, while subsidies for subsidiary crops during the Yala season will increase from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000. Small tea holders will receive a one-time additional payment of Rs. 5,000 per fertiliser bag in addition to the existing Rs. 4,000 subsidy.

He said the expanded fertiliser support programme would cost the government about Rs. 6.5 billion, with an additional Rs. 600 million allocated specifically for fertiliser subsidies.

The President also outlined plans to manage rising energy costs, particularly in the fuel sector. He said the government had considered allowing fuel prices to fully reflect market costs or introducing a subsidy mechanism.

According to current estimates, he said, diesel would exceed Rs. 600 per litre if sold strictly at cost. Instead, the government has decided to maintain the existing tax structure and provide Treasury-funded subsidies.

Under the proposed scheme, diesel will receive a subsidy of up to Rs. 100 per litre, while petrol will receive up to Rs. 20 per litre. Fuel prices will continue to be adjusted based on monthly cost calculations, with the next revision scheduled for May 1.

The subsidy programme is expected to cost around Rs. 20 billion per month and will operate for three months at an estimated total cost of Rs. 60 billion.

In addition, fishermen will receive targeted assistance. Small fishing boats will qualify for an extra Rs. 50 per litre fuel subsidy for up to 625 litres per month, credited directly to bank accounts. This will provide a monthly benefit of Rs. 31,250 per boat.

Multi-day fishing vessels will receive a fuel allowance of Rs. 150,000 per vessel during the three-month subsidy period, the President said.

By Saman Indrajith

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News

Plans to open underutilised state land for new investment opportunities

Published

14 hours ago

2026/06/17

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Circular Revision Committee appointed to review and update circulars issued under the State Lands Ordinance and the Land Development Ordinance was held on Tuesday (16) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat. The Committee has been mandated to recommend to the Cabinet the cancellation of out-dated circulars, the issuance of new circulars, and the revision of existing circulars to ensure alignment with current requirements.

The Committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, D.P. Wickramasinghe. Its other members include the Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Constitutional and Statutory Affairs Division), Legal Adviser to the Presidential Secretariat, an Additional Solicitor General from the Attorney General’s Department, the Additional Secretary (Lands) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Additional Director General of the National Budget Department, the Western Province Land Commissioner, the Divisional Secretary of Nuwaragampalatha East, the Deputy Chief Valuer of the Valuation Department and the Director (Lands) of the Mahaweli Authority.

The Commissioner General of Lands serves as the Convener of the Committee.

The Committee’s responsibilities include establishing a reliable, uniform and regularised system of land taxation within the existing legal framework, ensuring state revenue optimisation without prejudice to lessees. This includes reviewing annual lease rentals charged on long-term leases and grants, aligning related circulars with current requirements, and amending or formulating new provisions and directives where necessary.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the proposals submitted by the expert committee in relation to the revision of these circulars.

The President emphasised that a new, time-appropriate policy should be formulated to address the underutilisation of State lands and to ensure their more efficient use.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Legal Adviser to the President, Senior Attorney-at-Law J.M. Wijebandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department, President’s Counsel Ravindra Pathiranage, Commissioner General of Lands Chandana Ranaweraarachchi, Director General (Institutional Affairs), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development J.G.L.S. Jayawardena, Additional Director General (National Budget Department) D.A. Asantha Gunasekara, and Commissioner of Lands (Leasing Division) P.K.C. Nilani Mahindaganamage, together with members of the Committee, were also present.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation also attended the meeting.

(PMD)

Business

National Export Development Plan (2026–2030) presented to the President

Published

14 hours ago

2026/06/17

Priyan

Marking an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic development, the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030 was presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday morning (16) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The 2026–2030 National Export Development Plan (NEDP) is a key national programme formulated in line with the Government’s policy direction under the 2025 Budget. It aims to strengthen the country’s export sector and achieve export-led sustainable economic growth.

The strategic plan has been developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the leadership of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), with technical assistance provided through the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Policy-Based Lending (PBL) programme. It is the result of an extensive consultative process carried out in close collaboration with key government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners.

The proposal submitted by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to recognise the “Sri Lanka National Export Development Plan 2026–2030” as the official strategic framework for export development and promotion in Sri Lanka was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 4 May 2026. The Plan reflects a broad consensus among government institutions, private sector experts, and international development partners.

In line with the national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, the Plan has been formulated to enhance Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness and achieve an export revenue target of USD 36 billion by 2030.

The core vision of the Plan is to transform Sri Lanka into a competitive logistics and knowledge-based export hub serving regional and global markets. The strategy is based on two key interconnected pillars: “horizontals” and “verticals”, which together provide the foundation for strengthening export competitiveness, diversification, and sustainable growth.

The horizontal enablers, which support the growth and expansion of all priority sectors, include logistics and integrated hub operations, trade facilitation, trade finance and reforms in the business and investment environment, trade promotion and market linkages, quality management, standards, environmental, social and governance (ESG) capacity development, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Plan also identifies eight priority export sectors to enhance export diversification and value addition, and to position Sri Lanka more competitively in global markets. These include automotive components, mineral-based industries, rubber-based industries, maritime industries (including boat and shipbuilding), spices and concentrates, digital products and services, electrical and electronic equipment, and processed food and beverages.

The preparation of the Plan involved contributions from over 300 stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and international development partners. Broad consensus was achieved through consultations held from October to December 2025 and workshops conducted in January 2026.

The Government expects that, with implementation supported by strong governance and monitoring framework, the Plan will elevate local products to international standards and ensure long-term economic stability and growth. It is further anticipated that the National Export Development Plan will serve as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic progress in the years ahead.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Russell Aponso, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe were also present at the event.

[PMD]

News

Complaint of custodial deaths and torture submitted to UN

Published

16 hours ago

2026/06/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Senaka and Aisha

The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has complained to the UN regarding custodial deaths.

Executive Director of the Committee, Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera told The Island that they had submitted written submissions to the visiting UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) on Monday (15). “We are confident that they’ll take up the issues at hand with the government and take tangible measures to improve the conditions in prisons and detention facilities,” Perera said.

The SPT is here from 15 to 24 June. The visiting delegation consists of Aisha Shujune Muhammad, Head of Delegation (Maldives), Jakub Julian Czepek (Poland), Nika Kvaratskhelia (Georgia), Anica Tomsic (Croatia) and two human rights officers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Claiming that there had been 184 prison deaths in 2024, the Committee asserted that though there was a drop in the number of cases, the deaths caused by underlying health complications and systemic issues weren’t available at the moment.

According to a copy of the submissions made to the SPT, received by The Island, there had been seven custodial deaths this year alone, reported from various parts of the country.

The Committee took a very critical position, while Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath assured the visiting delegation that the government didn’t tolerate torture at all.

The Ministry statement Monday night quoted Herath as having described the government response as zero tolerance policy.

The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners also dealt with several other contentious issues, including special treatment granted to those with political connections and privileged backgrounds. Perera alleged that in spite of a change of government, in 2024 September, the much anticipated improvements failed to materialise and the continuing custodial deaths highlighted the crisis in the prisons and detention facilities.

According to the Committee, the situation was so bad and further deteriorating in overcrowded prisons, the national overcrowding rate has reached an unsustainable 286.6%, with some facilities, like the Vavuniya Remand Prison, exceeding capacity by 300%.

A significant portion of this population (65.4%) consists of persons not convicted awaiting trial, the Committee said, urging the SPT to look into the pathetic situation.

The Committee also complained of torture and ill-treatment at some detention facilities. There had been cases of lawyers, visiting detention centres at Welisara and Boossa, been subjected to degrading and humiliating searches, including forced removal of clothing.

The Committee also brought to the SPT’s notice how the Supreme Court, on 14 December, 2023, held the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshabandu Thennakoon, personally responsible for torture. The failure on the part of prison authorities to grant inmates a fair hearing during internal investigations, too, has been raised by the Committee.

Among the other issues that had been raised were enforced disappearances, health and medical conditions, food, water and sanitation, corporal punishments and the operation of detention facilities within military bases.

Referring to the enforced disappearance of Gonapinuwala Kapila Kumara de Silva on 27 March, 2024, the Committee alleged that the Attorney General failed to take action against the perpetrators, believed to be members of the Special Task Force (STF)

The Committee alleged that in spite of them submitting formal complaints and an urgent letter to the Attorney General demanding prosecution under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances Act, No. 5 of 2018, the AG took no meaningful action.

Consequently, CPRP filed a Writ of Mandamus petition in the Court of Appeal (CA/WRIT/185/26) against the Attorney General and other officials, seeking judicial intervention to compel investigation and prosecution. The case remains pending

by Shamindra Ferdinando