News
CEB launches transmission development project for renewable energy with French assistance

By Ifham Nizam
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) launched the Transmission Development Project for Renewable Energy with the construction of a 50 km transmission line, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said at the opening of the Nawalapitiya Grid substation yesterday.
A long-term loan of EURO 30 million (nearly Rs. 6,000 million) has been provided by the French Institute of Financial Development for this purpose. Rs. 1,500 million has been allocated by the CEB.
Alhapperuma said that by connecting the Nawalapitiya Grid Substation and the other three grid substations in this project to eco-friendly small hydro power plants, the CEB would be able to add about 100 MW to the generating system within the next few years.
He also stressed that the government had realised the environmental crisis and moved towards a renewable economy.
In addition, the CEB hoped to provide electricity from the Nawalapitiya Grid Substation to about 50,000 families and a large number of industries and to improve the low voltage supply in those areas, he said.
“Today, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision of prosperity is a giant leap forward in the journey to make renewable energy sources the driving force of the country,” the Minister said.
He also said “Our goal is to reduce diesel and other fuel use in power generation in the country by 5% by 2025. We are ready to reduce it to 0 per cent by 2030. That is why a Ministry of Renewable Energy was established.”
Minister Alahapperuma also observed that Europe was rapidly moving towards a renewable economy. France was currently exporting electricity.
Renewable goals had embraced the whole of Europe. They used renewable sources not only in electricity generation but also in transportation. In the same way, he said, the environment should be cleansed and the people’s economy should be strengthened on renewable energy in Sri Lanka as well.
French Ambassador Eric Lavertu, Provincial Councilor Weerasinghe Aluthgamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy Wasantha Perera, Chairman of the Electricity Board Vijitha Herath, Deputy Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon and General Manager Kumudini Herath were also present.
News
SJB, JVP move SC against Finance Secy. for contempt of court

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (21) moved Supreme Court against Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana over his failure to provide funds required by the Election Commission to conduct the Local Government polls, ignoring an interim order issued by the apex court, on 03 March.
Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MP, is the petitioner for the SJB and Vijitha Herath, MP, moved court on behalf of the JVP, the leading party in the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB).
Two Opposition parties declared action against Siriwardana the day after the Freedom People’s Alliance (FPA) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Finance Secretary to release the funds.
EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa is on record as having said that in spite of SC directive he didn’t receive fresh funding.
The petitioners sought the issuance of summons on Siriwardana for contempt of court over failure to carry out its interim orders, given on 03 March.
The petitioners want the Finance Secretary punished in terms of Article 105 (3) of the Constitution.
The SJB stated that Siriwardana had refrained from carrying out the March directives, on the basis of a Cabinet decision, taken on 13 Feb., 2023. The SJB also pointed out that the offensive conduct of the Treasury Secretary, inter alia, causes grave prejudice to the esteemed authority of the Supreme Court and in turn disturb the public confidence in the authority of the highest Court in the country. (SF)
News
Minister indicates reduction in fuel prices in April

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament yesterday that fuel prices would be reduced considerably according to the fuel price formula at the next fuel price revision, due in April.
The Minister said that the government would be able to procure fuel shipments, at lower prices, during competitive bidding, with the receipt of the IMF bailout.
There had been practical issues, and problems, in opening Letters of Credit, and obtaining credit facilities, in the recent past, as Sri Lanka could not give a guarantee to fuel suppliers, Minister Wijesekara said.
“We could not open LCs and obtain credit facilities when procuring fuel. After the IMF bailout, we will be able to procure fuel at lower prices during competitive biddings. We will be able to obtain a long-term credit facility as well. Fuel prices in the global market seem to have declined and the rupee has also gained strength against the US Dollar. Having considered all these factors, fuel prices will be reduced by a considerable margin which could be felt by the people,” he said.
News
IGP tells CID not to brook any interference from any quarter while they probe ’Harak Kata’ and ‘Kudu Salindu’

By Norman Palihawadane
IGP CD Wickramaratne has directed the CID to maintain a special log of names and details of any attempts by external parties to influene the ongoing investigations on notorious drug traffickers Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne aka Harak Kata and Salindu Malshika aka Kudu Salindu.
The suspects are currently under the custody of the CID.
The IGP issued the orders to the DIG CID and its director during a meeting of senior police officers on Monday, police headquarters said.
Sources said that the IGP has further instructed not to allow statements from the detainees to be taken by any police team other than the team currently investigating the suspects.
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