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EV Adoption critical for renewable energy growth and economic stability, says Minister Karunathilaka

Published

4 months ago

2026/06/18

Expanding the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in Sri Lanka is not only vital for reducing the country’s dependence on costly fossil fuel imports but also essential for unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and strengthening the national economy, Power and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said yesterday.

Addressing a stakeholder consultation workshop on the formulation of the National EV Charging Infrastructure Policy, Minister Karunathilaka stressed that Sri Lanka’s transition towards cleaner transport could yield substantial economic and environmental benefits.

“At present, electric vehicles account for only about one per cent of the country’s vehicle fleet. If we can significantly increase that share and ensure that these vehicles are charged using renewable energy, Sri Lanka can save billions of rupees currently spent on importing fossil fuels,” the Minister said.

He noted that such a shift would also enable the country to maximize its renewable energy potential while making a meaningful contribution to economic growth.

The workshop, held in Colombo, brought together policymakers, regulators, energy experts and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for developing a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure network across the country.

Minister Karunathilaka acknowledged that several barriers continue to limit the growth of EV adoption in Sri Lanka. He said the government was identifying these challenges and exploring practical solutions to overcome them.

Among the measures under consideration are the introduction of lower electricity tariffs for vehicle charging during off-peak daytime hours, the establishment of charging stations outside major urban centres, and the strengthening of the national power grid to accommodate future demand from electric mobility.

“The objective is to create an enabling environment that encourages more Sri Lankans to switch to electric vehicles while ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is available throughout the country,” he said.

The consultation forms part of a broader initiative jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy, the United Nations Development Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

Representatives from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, the National System Operator, electricity distribution companies and other key institutions participated in the discussions.

Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas, Energy Ministry Secretary Russel Aponsu, Director General (Engineering) K.I.D. Jayasundara, and UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota were among the senior officials and experts attending the event.

Energy sector observers say the development of a robust charging infrastructure and supportive policy framework will be crucial if Sri Lanka is to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen its vulnerability to volatile global fuel prices.

The proposed National EV Charging Infrastructure Policy is expected to provide the roadmap needed to drive that transformation and position Sri Lanka for a cleaner and more sustainable transport future.

By Ifham Nizam

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Geneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations

Published

12 mins ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

Suresh Sallay

The government has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the detention of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the ex-official in late February this year. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers have jointly raised the issue on 20 July, 2026.

Drawing attention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to what they called alleged arbitrary detention of Sallay, former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody, resulting in the grave deterioration of his health, and imminent risks of retaliation through further torture and ill-treatment resulting in irreparable harm, should he be released from hospital and returned to custody, the UN sought the government explanation with a 60-day period.

The UN has stated: “This communication, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government, will be made public via the communications reporting website at the 60 days mark. Should your Excellency’s Government respond within 60 days, both the communication and the response, may be published before the 60 days mark. The communications and responses

will also be made available in the subsequent periodic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.”

In the absence of the government’s response, the UN posted the letter, dated 20 July, 2026, addressed to President Dissanayake. The full letter can be accessed https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31125

News

Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area

Published

13 mins ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

The Army, last week, vacated an area, within the wartime high security zone in the Jaffna peninsula. The Defence Ministry said that an extent of 187.56 acres of land, belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has been released by the military. The released land, located in Grama Niladhari Division J/233, Kankesanthurai West, within the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) Divisional Secretariat Division, had been utilised by the Sri Lanka Army since the middle of 1997.

The release of the 187.56-acre extent forms part of the initiative to make State land available for the proposed investment zone in Kankesanthurai, thereby facilitating future investment and economic development in the area.

News

Lawyer lodges complaint against Govt. Printer, Media Ministry Secy.

Published

14 mins ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

A complaint has been lodged with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau against the Government Printer and the Secretary to the Ministry of Media regarding the online release of falsified documents bearing a forged Speaker’s certificate.

Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri has lodged a complaint with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau requesting legal action against the Government Printer of the Department of Government Printing (No. 118, Dr. Danister de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08), Prasanna Jayaratne, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media (Asidisi Medura, 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05), Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The complaint alleges the commission of offences by forging and uploading falsified documents online using a forged Speaker’s certification, failure to perform statutory duties, and misappropriation of public property.

The complaint states that a copy of the English translation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was downloaded and printed from the official website of the Government Printing Department (www.documents.gov.lk), which operates under the Ministry of Mass Media. On its outer cover and on page 1, the text “certified on 25th of September, 2026” is inscribed inside brackets.

The complaint pointed out that the Speaker has certified an English translation. Under Articles 23, 79, 83, and 80 of the Constitution, Parliament enacts laws and the Speaker certifies bills strictly in the Sinhala and Tamil languages; under the Constitution, therefore the Speaker cannot apply such certification to an English translation.