News
Beauty of Sri Lanka’ photographic exhibition in US
By Jagath Kanaherarachchi
Arrangements are being made by the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society, Los Angeles (ASPAS) to host ‘Sri Lanka in Focus USA: Beauty of Sri Lanka’ photographic exhibition for the fourth consecutive year this week.
The ASPAS has been organising exhibitions to familiarise the wonders of Sri Lanka with the far West for the past several years.
Organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Bureau, the exhibition is held in three locations in the USA. On 20 and 21 April the exhibition would be held in Los Angeles at the Art Gallery of Kerckhoff Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In New York, the exhibition is scheduled to be held on two consecutive days – 25 April (6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and 26 April (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) – at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York. Lastly, in May, the exhibition is scheduled to arrive at the administrative capital of the USA – Washington DC – where it will be held on 4 May from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC. The exhibition also coincides with Earth Day which is observed every year on 22 April.
To make the exhibition more attractive to the public and to promote tourism in Sri Lanka, it will include a series of related events, including a seminar, lectures, a cultural performance, and a screening of a video on Sri Lanka Provided by BBC and produced by the Blue Planet nature documentary.
The Chief Guest – renowned professor Saloni Mathur who is Professor and Chair of the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art Department – will deliver a keynote address relating to the history of South Asian photography. Prof. Priyanga Amarasekare who is a Professor of Ecology and Environment Biology at UCLA and a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), will make a presentation on biological and ecological mechanisms that maintain biological diversity in variable environments. Medini Rathnayaka will be the compere of the event.
The exhibition comprises 75 captivating photographs encompassing the uniqueness of wildlife, culture and art of Sri Lanka. From lush greenery of rainforests, pristine sandy beaches, and the grandeur of Kandy Esala Perahera to the intricate carvings of Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara, the majestic tea estates of the misty hill country, and the unique fauna of the dry zone national parks, the exhibition will take the visitors to a world of natural wonders, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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