News
Govt. stand on foreign research vessels sought following French ship visit
…NPP yet to decide on new procedure
The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) has called upon the National People’s Power (NPP) government to reveal its position on foreign research vessels visiting Sri Lanka ports.
Top PNM spokesman Dr. Wasantha Bandara yesterday (12) said that the recent visit by FS BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE A 758 of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service went almost unnoticed though the government was yet to disclose the status of ban on foreign research vessels imposed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a period of one year (January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024).
A French Destroyer Provence assigned to the carrier strike group deployed in the Indo-Pacific region was here in late March this year.
Dr. Bandara emphasised that Sri Lanka couldn’t, under any circumstances, adopt varying positions on such ship visits.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, on Dec. 20, 2024. announced the appointment of a committee to formulate a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for foreign research vessels. Dr. Bandara said that the people have a right to know what this new SOP is.
The French vessel arrived in Colombo on May 09, purportedly on a goodwill visit. The Navy welcomed the vessel in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Manned by a 58 crew, the 80.65m long ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ is commanded by Commander BERTHEAU Dimitri. Launched on April 26th, 2002, the vessel entered service on Dec. 13th 2003.
The Commanding Officer and a group of crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
Authoritative Foreign Ministry sources said that the committee was engaged in working on the new SOP. The process was continuing, sources said.
Dr. Bandara alleged that Wickremesinghe imposed the ban on foreign research vessels at the behest of India and the US. The PNM spokesman pointed out that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s successor Elizabeth K. Horst, in May last year, declared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee the US role in the ban imposed by Wickremesinghe.
Responding to The Island queries, Dr. Bandara said that the PNM, Global Sri Lankan Forum, Swadeshika Jathika Viyaparaya and Thunhela Jathiak Viyaparaya petitioned the Supreme Court against the seven secret MoUs the NPP government signed with India recently. Referring to the MoU on Defence Cooperation, Dr. Bandara said that the petition sought an explanation regarding Sri Lanka’s position on foreign research vessels.
The petition raised two key issues (1) whether the Government of Sri Lanka had the right to amend the clauses of MoUs if they were found to be adverse and detrimental to the interest of Sri Lanka? and
(2) whether the Government agreed under the MoU on Defence Cooperation with India that Chinese vessels would not be allowed in Sri Lankan waters?
Dr. Bandara said that it wouldn’t be fair to have a ban particularly designed to block Chinese research vessels. “We shouldn’t get involved in the ongoing dispute between China and US backed alliance that included India,” Dr. Bandara said.
Dr. Bandara recalled how interested parties caused media furore over Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 visit to Hambantota in August 2022 in the wake of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster. In late Oct. 2023, Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 visited Colombo amidst controversy.
The PNM urged all political parties, represented in Parliament, to examine the issue and take appropriate measures to deal with the situation.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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.
Latest News
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 ✍️
Two people killed in magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico
President Trump says the US has ‘captured’ Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters
US Coast Guard suspends search for survivors of Pacific boat strike
Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, Caracas blames the US
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
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