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CEBEU protest against underhand move to go ahead with unsolicited proposal from US Energy Firm

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By Ifham Nizam

The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers yesterday strongly opposed what they called a government decision to contract US Energy Firm New Fortress Energy to supply LNG and put in place infrastructure.

CEBEU President Saumya Kumarawadu told The Island yesterday they would not support the move, claiming it would lead to financial frauds.

“This deal will lead to losses running to billions of rupees to the country and finally the US firm will acquire rights to supply LNG to all the existing and future power plants, and this is of concern to us,” he said.

The CEBEU President said the CEB had already initiated a transparent competitive bidding process, which was ongoing following the completion of a comprehensive feasibility study, to procure LNG infrastructure to supply LNG for all the existing and future power plants in the country and it was in the final stage.

“I think that to sign an agreement in the middle of a tender process is extremely upsetting,” Kumarawadu added.

Engineers said an ad hoc ‘Technical Committee’ had been appointed by the Ministry of Finance to negotiate terms of the existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between CEB &West Coast Power (Pvt.) Ltd (WCPL) and an unsolicited proposal to supply LNG to West Coast Power Plant (WCPP)by New Fotress Energy(NFE).

“We were shocked to know this unwarranted move and would like to highlight the following vital concerns in this regard,” they pointed out.

The Ministry of Power and the CEB have already initiated a competitive bidding process to procure LNG for all the existing and future power plants around Colombo including the WCPP and it’s in the final stage. “Hence, as we have already communicated to Hon. Minister of Power by our letter dated 26 April 2021, that any unsolicited procurement which might badly affect the ongoing bidding process should not be encouraged.”

One of the main objectives of this committee is said to be negotiating terms of the existing PPA between the CEB & WCPL. The CEBEU has said “The PPA contains very sensitive parameters which finally account for payments running into billions of rupees. Hence, any amendments to this PPA (if required) should be made very carefully, as per the procurement rules and regulations of the country. The Chief Financial Officer of the ministry is responsible for ensuring such sound procedures are duly practiced in this process.”

The composition of the so-called ‘Technical Committee’ is also very strange; they pointed out adding, “We have doubts that this committee has been appointed with a predetermined outcome in mind,” CEBEU said.

The Union also said the Secretary, Ministry of Power should seriously consider all the implications of the move and take remedial action.



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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla,  Kandy,  Kurunegala,  Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till  08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)

The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district,  and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER   landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions  and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara,  Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and  Kandeketiya in the Badulla district,  Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district,  Rideegama in the Kurunegala district,  Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district,  and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district,  and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

 

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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency

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Harini Amarasuriya

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.

Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.

She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.

“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.

She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.

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Opposition Leader rises in defence of Dr. Bellana 

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Sajith

Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.

Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.

He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.

Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.

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