News
Electricity Consumers Association fumes over giving monopoly hold to NFE on supplying LNG
By Ifham Nizam
The Electricity Consumers’ Association yesterday alleged that the US firm, New Fortress Energy, was gearing up to grab Sri Lanka’s natural gas reserves.
Association’s Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika yesterday told journalists that the authorisation of an agreement for the supply of LNG without any legal background would not result in LNG price control and the American company would squeeze the country when opportunity came to sell gas at arbitrary prices.
Dhammika said that allowing a US company to monopolie the LNG supply iolated the rights of electricity consumers. Although the government claims that the monopoly would be limited to only five years, there is the danger of lasting indefinitely.
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has been empowered by the Electricity Act to ensure that electricity is supplied at the lowest possible price, and as a result, transactions that supply electricity at high prices are barred.
The Union pointed out that during the period of good governance, the illegal transaction of buying 600 MW of electricity from Turkish ships berthed at Sri Lankan harbours was avoided because the Public Utilities Commission had powers.
“But there is no agency with any legal powers to regulate LNG supply. In such a scenario, handing over the supply of LNG to a foreign monopoly would push the country’s energy sector into a major crisis,” he warned.
Dhammika said in a statement: More than 2000 MW of LNG power plants are to be constructed in the near future. Accordingly, nearly 50 percent of the installed capacity in the country will be supplied by these power plants. Giving a foreign monopoly the power to decide the fate of 50 percent of the country’s electricity supply will instead result in electricity being generated at the monopoly’s arbitrary prices. Also, as the existing power plants can be powered by diesel, the country will be further victimized by the diesel mafia by supplying diesel instead of LNG at the behest of the LNG company.
Accordingly, the loss to the CEB will be further increased by this illegal transaction. The diesel mafia in the guise of LNG will work to impose that burden on the consumer. Accordingly, laws should be enacted to regulate the supply of LNG and delegate regulatory powers to the Public Utilities Commission before handing over the supply of LNG to a foreign monopoly. Then suppliers should be selected to supply LNG on a transparent basis based on competitive tenders, added Dhammika.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Davis cup Asia/Oceania Group IV 2026 to be held in Colombo from 20th to 25th July
Navy brings fisherman in distress off Pothuvil, ashore
Malinga, Asalanka seal Galle Gallants win in LPL opener
Showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Dengue outbreak gallops ahead: Infections surpasses 73,455, leaving 50 dead
Evidence recorded in money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features6 days agoPrison riots and politics: NPP’s biggest challenge and Sri Lanka’s biggest opportunity
-
Features3 days agoDirty Money
-
Editorial6 days agoMuch ado about crime: Fish or cut bait
-
Features6 days agoMore on Saudi Arabia: ARAMCO and beyond
-
Sports6 days agoThe banker who rescued Sri Lankan cricket
-
News1 day agoMoney laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
-
Midweek Review3 days agoThe sordid tale of theft and tragedy at Finance Ministry
-
Latest News4 days agoOil prices hit 1-month high as US-Iran attacks dim Strait of Hormuz outlook