News
Govt. warns of possible power interruptions in future
Sri Lanka may face electricity interruptions in the future, despite ongoing efforts to maintain an uninterrupted supply, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday (17).
Responding to a query by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said that thus far, no power cuts had been imposed despite fuel-related challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East. However, he cautioned that such a situation could emerge if prevailing conditions worsen.
“We have maintained a continuous electricity supply. Nevertheless, a time may come when power cuts become unavoidable,” he said.
Delivering a special statement, the Minister also provided an update on the country’s fuel reserves under normal consumption patterns, noting that current stocks, together with confirmed shipments, were expected to sustain supplies in the short term.
Accordingly, diesel stocks are projected to last until April 12, while super diesel reserves are sufficient until May 10. Octane 92 petrol is expected to remain available until April 23, and Octane 95 petrol until May 10.
Minister Jayakody said these estimates included fuel already in storage as well as consignments from three vessels currently in port, adding that steps were being taken to ensure continuity of supply.
The Minister noted that discussions were ongoing with existing suppliers to secure timely deliveries, while efforts are also underway to identify new sources. Proposals submitted by multiple suppliers were under evaluation, he said, as the government was seeking to mitigate risks posed by global uncertainties.
He stressed that authorities were taking all necessary measures to manage the situation under prevailing international conditions and to ensure that essential fuel requirements are met in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Premadasa urged the government to remove taxes imposed on fuel, arguing that relief should be passed on to consumers through price reductions rather than increases.
He said it was unjustifiable to raise prices on existing stocks and called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT), the Social Security Contribution Levy, Excise Duty, Customs Import Duty and the Special Commodity Levy on fuel.
Premadasa recalled that the present administration had come to power pledging to supply fuel at prices equivalent to the landing cost at the port, and urged it to honour that commitment.
By Saman Indrajith
More than 108,000 complaints of child abuse had been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament yesterday.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the Minister said 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before High Courts as of April 30 this year, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She said the NCPA was working with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus under the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and conclusion of these cases.
The Minister said measures were also being taken to protect child victims during legal proceedings by introducing a system to record their evidence through video in a safe and child-friendly environment, thereby reducing the need for them to appear in court.
She said discussions were underway with the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and other relevant institutions to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. A/L Examination by two months.
The petition, filed by a group of students due to sit the examination for the first and second time, sought an order delaying the examination, which is scheduled to commence next month.
The Court announced its decision after considering submissions made in support of the application and declined to grant leave to proceed with the petition.
As a result, the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held as scheduled in August.
Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday criticised the conduct of MP Archchuna Ramanathan in Parliament, describing the behaviour of certain lawmakers as “uncivilised, disgraceful and indecent”, while a heated exchange followed between government and opposition members.
Rathnayake made the remarks when Ramanathan attempted to raise a point of order during parliamentary proceedings.
“This parliament has one or two members who behave in a very uncivilised, disgraceful manner. We tolerate them because one of them is mentally ill,” Rathnayake said.
He alleged that Ramanathan had insulted even members of the Tamil community.
“The things he says may not be heard through the microphone, but the four walls of this Parliament are witnesses,” Rathnayake said, adding that Ramanathan’s conduct was not limited to Parliament.
He claimed that the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting could not be held due to Ramanathan’s behaviour and said MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had written to the Speaker stating that he could not sit near him.
The Speaker intervened during the exchange, warning Ramanathan not to behave in a manner that would turn Parliament into “a joke”. He also said the MP had previously addressed him in an insulting manner.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the manner in which Rathnayake and the Speaker had addressed the matter, saying MPs should not be spoken to improperly and urging members to follow parliamentary Standing Orders.
Ramanathan, responding to the remarks, said: “I may be a psycho, but I am not a homosexual.”
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
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