The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.

Accordingly,

Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.

Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.

The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the  People’s Republic of China.

Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.

“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.

The Prime Minister  further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.

A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

The government’s announcement of a 20% reduction in electricity tariffs has been criticized as inadequate by Sanjeewa Dhammika, Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on Friday, Dhammika argued that the reduction should have been at least 30%, given that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reported profits of Rs. 200 billion over the past two years.

Addressing the media following the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka’s (PUCSL) announcement of revised tariffs earlier in the day, Dhammika raised concerns over the process used to determine the reduction. He revealed that the Auditor General had previously sent a letter to the CEB, dated November 30, highlighting inaccuracies in the data provided for tariff adjustments.

“These concerns seem to have been overlooked in the current tariff revision,” Dhammika said.

He further claimed that if the PUCSL had properly analyzed the data, a 30% tariff reduction could have been implemented. Such a move, he suggested, would have not only eased the financial burden on the public but also contributed to the country’s economic recovery.

Dhammika also accused the PUCSL of failing to take legal action against CEB officials responsible for providing incorrect data, despite having the authority to do so. Additionally, he criticized the absence of Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa and Wasantha Samarasinghe, who typically participate in public consultations on tariff adjustments.

“Did they stay away because they saw the possibility of a 30% reduction and wanted to avoid supporting it?” he questioned.

The association called for greater transparency and accountability in tariff adjustments, urging the government to act in the best interest of the public.

Earlier in the day the PUCSL said that higher projected surplus of 44 billion rupees helped for 20 percent reduction electricity tariffs from Jan 17, against a proposal by the CEB to maintain the same price.

The PUCSL has the authority to decide the prices, as per law. The CEB’s request to maintain the same tariffs for the first six months of 2025 comes with its projection of only 2.3 billion rupee surplus in the period.

“But the PUCSL’s assessment showed there could be a 44 billion surplus in the first six months and we decided that the benefit of this surplus should go to the public,” Jayanath Herath, director at the PUCSL’s Communication Unit, told reporters at a media briefing on Friday.