News
Local engineers still cannot restore coal power plant without Chinese expertise
By Ifham Nizam
The debt-ridden Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has to pay USD 60 million to Chinese engineers operating the country’s sole coal fired power plant complex at Norochcholai, and the amount would further increase with another one-year extension of their contract, informed sources said adding that the maintenance of the first plant would be completed by Friday.
The Island learns that some 35 Chinese engineers’ contracts cost CEB more than USD 60 million by 2021.
Plans are underway to extend the contract by another year despite stiff opposition from a senior official at the Power and Energy Ministry.
Engineers at the plant confirmed that Chinese expertise could not be matched by the local technical experts and they would have to depend on the Chinese experts.
“Even after the total blackout on 03 December 2021, Chinese experts had to visit here to resolve technical problems,” an official said.
Meanwhile, the electricity sector regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday instructed the CEB to increase thermal and hydro power generation due to the breakdown at the first turbine at Lak Vijaya Power plant at Norochcholai.
The PUCSL also issued instructions to maintain the present three hours and 20 minutes daily power cut without any increase.
A 300 MW generator at the Norochcholai power plant developed a defect on Tuesday (o3).
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told journalists that it would take another five days to repair the generator.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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