News
Embassies play a pivotal role in generating foreign income through investment, exports, tourism and foreign employment – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that ambassadors carry the crucial responsibility of strengthening Sri Lanka’s image on the international stage.
He made these remarks on Friday (22) afternoonat the Presidential Secretariat during a meeting with newly appointed Heads of Missions.
Congratulating the new heads of missions, the President urged them to serve Sri Lankans living abroad fairly and without discrimination, while promptly addressing the issues faced by the expatriate community.
Highlighting that Sri Lanka is on a path towards economic stability, the President stressed the importance of understanding the country’s present needs and challenges. He noted that embassies play a pivotal role in generating foreign income through four key areas: investment, exports, tourism and foreign employment.
The President further highlighted that all foreign exchange channels, which play a vital role in achieving external stability in the economy, are connected to embassies, and they can significantly contribute to the Sri Lankan economy through these channels. Furthermore, the President stressed the importance of entering into free trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements with foreign nations are a timely priority.
The following diplomats called on President Dissanayake:
• Ms. S.S. Premawardhane – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to Indonesia
• Ms. C.A.C.I. Colonne – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to Brazil
• Mr. M.R. Hassen – High Commissioner – designate of Sri Lanka to Maldives
• Mr. L.R.M.N.P.G.P.B. Kadurugamuwa – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to Türkiye
• Ms. Ruwanthi Delpitiya – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to Nepal
• Mr. M.K. Pathmanaathan – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to South Korea
• Mr. W.A.K.S. De Alwis – Ambassador – designate of Sri Lanka to Oman
Also present at the meeting were Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.
The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.
Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.
According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.
Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.
The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.
In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.
The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.
The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
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