News
Chinese firm denies reports it withdrew from green power project for northern islands
China’s SINOSOAR- Hybrid Technology had not withdrawn from the execution of northern power projects as reported by certain Sri Lankan and Indian media outlets, Project Manager, Paul Cao said yesterday.
He said that SINOSOAR was the pre-winning bidder for the three islands mini-grid project in northern Sri Lanka.
“In the last couple of days, we noticed some misrepresented reports in some local media, claiming that our company took the initiative to suspend the project. This misinformation is against the truth and has violated the legitimate rights and interests of our company and affected the progress of the project. At present, the project is still under review process, and the progress of the project is unfortunately slow due to the interference of some third-party factors as far as we learned,” he said.
He added that the project concept was to uplift the lifestyle of the 35,710 rural households living in Delft, Analativu, Nainativu outer islands by promoting renewable energy. This was a loan proposal submitted to Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the previous Government of Sri Lanka in September 2015 and the main content of the project was to build a wind-photovoltaic-energy storage hybrid power generation system to replace the original Diesel generator power supply, strengthen the improvement of electricity conditions for residents on the islands, make full use of renewable energy to reduce the cost of fuel power generation, and provide green, continuous and stable power, he said.
“During the implementation of the Contract, the local Construction Management and Project Implementation will be subcontracted to Sri Lankan companies. There would be no Chinese laborers dispatched from China. In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, this project will create more local employment opportunities for Sri Lanka. SINOSOAR as the EPC Contractor and the specialist in the mini-grid field, will be the key guarantee to the project success. Main facilities of the plant are supplied from China and the majority of construction materials will be procured locally in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Cao said that the project was funded by the Asian Development Bank which in full accordance with the international bidding procedures, and every step was open and transparent.
“Our company will strictly abide by the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka and the relevant requirements of the Asian Development Bank and Ceylon Electricity Board. At the same time, we firmly oppose any unwarranted interference by any third parties without legal and factual basis. Our company hopes that GOSL will strictly follow the international bidding procedures to implement the project, and protect the legitimate rights of the contractor, as well as its own seriousness and international reputation,” he said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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