News
CEB engineers: SL needs LNG-coal cake with wind-solar icing
By Ifham Nizam
* The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU), despite their pledge to stick to the 70 percent renewable energy target laid down by the government, are now hinting that coal power generation has to be stepped up to avert a power crisis.
CEBEU Secretary Dhammika Wimalaratne told The Island that however they were planning to achieve as much renewable energy as possible.
“The current target is 70% renewables by 2030. We need upfront investments for battery storage of 1.5 billion USD and 1.3 billion USD for Transmission network upgrade. CEB Engineers are ready to achieve this target, but do we have the requisite finance?
“To achieve this target we need to increase solar from 425MW to 4000MW. Wind from 250MW to 1500MW.”
The CEBEU Secretary stressed that they also needed large plants such as those run by LNG and Coal to provide the base load. “The proposed fourth unit at Norochcholai, which is just an addition of 300MW to the grid, will be a vital cushion if allowed to be built. We need an LNG and coal cake with solar and wind icing, “he added.
“Sri Lanka is proud to be a co-lead of the “Global Energy Compact for No New Coal Power”, said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, addressing the World Leaders Summit – COP 26 held in Glasgow, Scotland, last year.
Energy Expert Dr. Vidura Ralapanawa, in his blog said that although CEBEU representatives said on the Hiru Balaya programme that they were supporting the national policy target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, their real agenda was to try and revive a long cancelled coal plant at Sampur, Trincomalee.
He claimed in his blog that typically, a coal plant took 7-10 years to build. “It is ridiculous to even imagine this will solve any of our current problems. This strategy will not remove our power woes, but will keep us in blackouts and locked into expensive power costs for decades. The CEBEU’s emergency power friends will be very happy.“
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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