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CEB engineers: SL needs LNG-coal cake with wind-solar icing

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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.“



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Voter apathy grows as never before: PAFFREL

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Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.

Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.

He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.

Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.

By Chaminda Silva

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Many foreign diplomats witness sacred relic exposition on first day

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A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.

The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.

The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.

“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.

Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

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Ahungalla shooting ordered from Dubai for failure to carry out contract killing

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Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.

The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.

It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).

Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.

Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.

By Hemantha Randunu

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