News
Electricity Users’ Association launch petition against privatisation of CEB
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
The Electricity Users’ Association yesterday (13) launched a campaign to collect 100,000 signatures against the proposed restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
The campaign got underway near the Fort Railway station. Sanjeeva Dhammika, Secretary of the Association, said that they intended tocollect signatures from the public at Nugegoda today (14).
Dhammika said that the proposed new law would enable the private sector to fleece the hapless public. The civil society activist alleged that the new law was meant for companies to exploit those struggling to make ends meet.
The petition would be sent to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and members of Parliament.
Kanchana says restructuring won’t be stopped
Kanchana
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday (13) said that the government would go ahead with restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The SLPPer told Parliament that party leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not asked them to stop restructuring.
“Mahinda Rajapaksa has not requested the postponement of the restructuring of state enterprises. He has only asked for the postponement of selling state enterprises. We have no intention of selling the CEB. The restructuring of the CEB will continue,” Minister Wijesekera said.
The Minister was responding to a question raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.
MP Kiriella was referring to a statement issued by ex-President Rajapaksa on Sunday
“We would like to know whether Minister Wijesekera is with President Wickremesinghe or with Mahinda Rajapaksa,” MP Kiriella asked.
MP Rajapakasa has requested President Wickremesinghe to stop the privatization process pending the conclusion of presidential election later this year.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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