News

Japan to support building a health center in Ampara tribal village

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/27

The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 89,168 (approx. Rs. 17.7 million) to Child Rehabilitation Centre for “The Project for Construction of an Out Patients Dispensary for Minor Ethnic Community in Ampara District”, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said last week.

The grant contract was signed on Monday between Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki Mr. Chamila Kodagoda, Chairman of Child Rehabilitation Centre.

“The purpose of this project is to build a primary health center in Ampara and furnish the center with medical equipment to provide health services for people residing in Aligambai isolated village and other surrounding villages,” the release said.

“Currently there is no facility for primary health care in those villages, and the villagers are obliged to travel long distances to the nearest government hospital. The new health center will enable the villagers to have easier access to proper health care services and thus contribute to improving the health and hygiene environment of the concerned area.”

The Government of Japan, through the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP)”, has supported 307 projects, for which more than US$ 53.8 million has been allocated since 1989. The year 2022 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, and the current project shall also be extended as part of the commemorable programme that Japan and Sri Lanka are jointly celebrating island-wide, the release added.

Commenting on the provision of this grant Mr. Kodagoda stated:

“I have no words to express my sincerest thanks to you on behalf of the Child Rehabilitation Centre for your commendable donation of a Health Centre. Your help in this regard is truly appreciated. You won’t believe that this donation (project) will bring a considerable change in the lives of tribal people in Aligambai tribal village who are struggling for their lives as well as who have been excluded from the mainstream of the society due to their lower social status.

“Through this very valuable donation from the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, we would not only be providing them with the best of medical facilities but also making access to basic human rights for them and giving them complete social protection free of charge to fight against the deadly diseases. If we were successful in saving the lives of these people, it would especially be a great achievement for both the Embassy of Japan and the Child Rehabilitation Centre.

At a time when all the Governments who ruled the country had ignored the Tribal people in Aligambai Village, your contribution has given us a ray of hope towards our mission. I am sure the beneficiaries will be happier to receive this gift from the Health Centre. For them, your help is a great asset.

I once again would like to express my heartiest gratitude on behalf of CRC Sri Lanka towards you for such a great help.”

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News

Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

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

Published

19 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

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.

News

CEB demands 11.57 percent power tariff hike in first quarter

Published

21 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

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 ✍️