News
ISTRM consultations: Puttalam residents highlight woeful state of govt. healthcare and education
The People of Puttalam have raised the failure on the part of successive governments to provide quality education for children living in the North Western Province district and the woeful state of the healthcare system there. They have pointed out the dearth of teachers and medical staff, particularly doctors, when the Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation (ISTRM) recently conducted what a spokesperson called a series of consultations with stakeholders.
They have also pointed out the continuing burden of those displaced families living in the district. During the conflict that ended 15 years ago, Puttalam received quite a large number of Muslims forcefully evicted from the Northern Province by the LTTE.
According to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD), other concerns that had been raised by the people included the absence of efficient response to soil erosion and the Forest Department control of state land.
The consultations were meant to gather public insights and address community challenges stemming from the violent conflict between 1983 and 2009.
During the three-day visit, the ISTRM team held nine consultations with various stakeholders to identify key issues and community concerns. The team met Puttalam GA/District Secretary H. M. S. P. Herath and Assistant District Secretary Mrs. W.M.S.G. Karunarathna to discuss concerns on administrative challenges and resource allocations.
ISTRM briefed Puttalam-based media regarding its activities and objectives. Consultations with villagers from Wanathawilluwa and Kalpitiya at their respective DS offices highlighted local issues, while discussions with the Sri Lankan African Community in Sirambiadiya explored the unique challenges they faced.
The team also met the senior police officers and air force officers in the Puttalam district at the DS Office Puttalam to discuss and gather their feedback on the proposed Bill for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation.
A broader consultation with ex-military officers, representatives from civil society organizations, Janasabha members, and ONUR (Office for National Unity and Reconciliation) Co-existing committee members covered a wide range of social and administrative concerns. Additionally, discussions with divisional secretaries and heads of provincial councils focused on governance and resource management issues in the Puttalam district. On the third day, the team engaged with the villagers in Mohothuwaram fishing village to address their specific concerns.
The spokesperson said: “The ISTRM’s consultations in Puttalam underscored significant challenges and provided a platform for community members to voice their concerns. The feedback gathered will be crucial in shaping the activities of the Independent Commission for Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation, aimed at addressing historical grievances and promoting national unity. The ISTRM’s efforts highlight the importance of inclusive dialogue and comprehensive solutions to support affected communities in Sri Lanka.”
The ISTRM team consisted of Senior Additional Secretary to the President Mr. Ranjith Ariyaratne, Dr. C.Y. Thangarajah – Senior Executive (Policy), Mr.Sarath Kothalawala (Coordinator), Ms. Danushi de Silva – Executive (Public Relations), Ms. Saumya Wicramasinghe – Executive (Public Relations) and Ms. Y.L. Lokunarangoda – Senior Executive (Legal).
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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