News
JVP accuses govt of sticking to yahapalana deal with India and handing over ECT to Adani Group
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP yesterday accused the government of planning to hand over the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal to Adani Group of India despite protests.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that the government had run out of excuses as there were widespread protests against the move to hand over the ECT to the Indian company. “So, now they twist words when they answer questions on the issue. The Prime Minister in Parliament the other day said the government had not decided to sell the ECT to any foreign entity. Several minutes later, the Ports Minister told Parliament that the government intended to bring in investors to develop the ECT. The Cabinet has approved a proposal to grant 49 percent of shares and management of the ECT to the Adani Group. The Ports Minister’s use of words is to bring in investors.
Silva said that the plans to sell off the ECT were prepared by the Yahapalana government. “There was a massive protest by port’s employees against those plans. Mahinda Rajapaksa then promised to protesting workers that national assets would not be sold under an SLPP government and asked the workers to vote for them.
People should understand that though they defeated Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP that sold state assets to foreigners, the current government was continuing what its predecessor had done.
“The port workers are now engaged in a campaign to save the ECT. The government declared the port an essential service. We ask the government why it is trying to sell it off to India if it is an essential service.
News
President Anura Kumara Disanayake holds discussions with Secretary of the Communist Party of China for Sichuan Province
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who was on a four-day state visit to China, met with Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Communist Party of China for Sichuan Province, this morning (17).
Chengdu, one of the happiest cities in China, is the capital of Sichuan Province and a leading city where the blend of cultural heritage and development harmoniously flourishes, offering its residents a high quality of life.
During the discussions, both sides explored the potential to elevate economic, trade, cultural, tourism, and intergovernmental relations between Sichuan and Sri Lanka to new heights. Sichuan’s significant achievements in various sectors, including energy, were acknowledged, and the President invited the Secretary of the Sichuan province to share their expertise and success stories with Sri Lanka.
President Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka is currently on a path to economic stabilization under a transparent and investor-friendly administration. He noted that the country is at a critical political turning point, with the current government empowered by a two-thirds majority granted by a united population from the north, east, west, and south. The government is fully committed to meeting the expectations placed upon it by its citizens.
Additionally, the President underscored Sri Lanka’s attractiveness as a destination for Chinese tourists and extended a warm invitation to the people of Sichuan to visit the island and experience its exceptional hospitality.
Joining the discussions were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake.
[PMD]
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL)’s Director of Communications Jayanath Herath announced that the PUCL has decided to reduce electricity tariffs by an average amount of 20% overall for a six month period with effect from midnight today (17)
Accordingly, tariffs have been reduced by 29% for consumers who consume less than 30 units of electricity in the domestic sector.
The consumers who consume between 31 – 60 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 28% reduction of the tariff.
The consumers who consume between 61 – 90 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 19% reduction of the tariff
The consumers who consume between 91 – 180 units of electricity in the domestic sector will receive a 18% reduction of the tariff
The tariff reduction for Government Institution is 11%, Religious Institutions is 21% , factories is 30% and for hotels is 31%
News
Chief observer of the Election Observation Mission of the European Union (EU) Meets Prime Minister
José Ignacio Sánchez Amor, Chief Observer of the Election Observation Mission of the European Union (EU) and Member of the European Parliament, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday [16th January].
Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, and the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka, accompanied Mr. Sánchez Amor. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office also participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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