News
It is possible to ensure grid stability and increase solar power generation – Expert
Countrywide blackout on 09 Feb:
by Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka’s transition into renewable energy (RE) is at a critical juncture, with solar power playing a pivotal role in achieving the country’s goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030. However, challenges in policy implementation and grid integration continue to hinder progress, according to renewable energy expert Eng. Parakrama Jayasinghe.
In response to a query, Jayasinghe said acceptance that RE was the only way forward was the first step. “They can then have an attitude of facilitation rather than obstructions currently faced by all RE developers. If they are honest, they will realise that it is financially and economically advantageous for them to take this path with hardly any capital expenditure. Eliminating the use of oil will save the CEB Rs. 110 billion a year and USD 850 million to the country,” he added.
Eng. Jayasinghe said rooftop solar panels were the most cost-effective and quickest way to expand Sri Lanka’s renewable energy mix. “It has no cost to the CEB, and consumers themselves are investing, making the energy sector more democratic,” he said, warning that without battery storage, solar energy remained variable and non-firm.
“The world has already found solutions to optimize the use of this environmentally friendly and forex-free energy. It is the duty of the CEB to adopt these solutions, which they have ignored year after year,” Jayasinghe said.
One of the main hurdles in scaling up solar power is its availability only during daylight hours. “The easy answer is behind-the-meter storage batteries,” says Eng. Jayasinghe. He believes that if the CEB offers a fair tariff for stored solar energy, private developers will readily adopt storage solutions at their own cost.
Another major concern is grid stability, particularly the reduction of spinning reserves when thermal and hydro plants operate at lower loads to accommodate solar power. However, Eng. Jayasinghe suggests a straightforward fix: “Running hydro and gas turbines at Kelanitissa as synchronous condensers can provide the required inertia at minimal cost and can be implemented quickly.”
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
Despite global shifts toward digital transactions, Cash on Delivery (COD) remains the dominant payment method for online shopping in Sri Lanka, according to the Digital Outlook Sri Lanka 2025 Report by the Asia Pacific Institute of Digital Marketing (APIDM) and the University of Kelaniya.
The report reveals that 52 percent of Sri Lankan online shoppers prefer COD, up from 48 percent in the previous year, underscoring persistent consumer caution toward digital payments.
While debit/credit card usage has dipped slightly to 35 percent (from 39.5 percent last year), newer digital payment methods such as e-wallets/e-money apps lag at 1 percent or less. Installment-based “Buy Now, Pay Later” options account for 3 percent, reflecting modest traction. Online bank transfers, meanwhile, accounted for 8 percent (down from 9 percent last year).(aayubo.com)
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has launched a recruitment initiative aimed at addressing critical shortages in university academic staff across the country.
Deputy Minister Dr. Madura Seneviratne said that the recruitment process is being implemented at the university level to ensure that pressing needs are addressed efficiently and in alignment with institutional priorities.
The move comes in response to growing concerns raised by the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA), which has pointed out that nearly 2,000 essential faculty positions remain unfilled across the country’s public universities, potentially impacting the quality of higher education and research output.Deputy Minister Seneviratne said that the recruitment process will be prioritized based on the urgency and significance of vacancies within individual universities and departments.
By Chaminda Silva
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