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More than 500 CEB engineers to report sick today over appointment of Acting GM 

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By Ifham Nizam

More than 500 engineers attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) will launch a sick-note campaign today near the CEB headquarters, CEBEU President Saumya Kumarawadu said.

Kumarawadu told journalists yesterday that the union had been compelled to resort to such trade union after 10 years as CEB Chairman M. M. C. Ferdinando had appointed Eng. Dr. M.N. Susantha Perera the General Manager on temporary basis.

However, the engineers rostered for work would function, the CEBEU chief said.

The CEBEU President said that the appointment had been made in violation of Section 5(1) of the CEB Act (the appointment be made with approval from the Power Minister) and Section 5(4) (the GM shall retire from office at the age of 60 years).

Others backing the Chairman’s action said “the Board of CEB had unanimously appointed Dr. Perera as the Acting General Manager of CEB on a temporary basis, pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal dated January 12, 2022, under the powers vested in the Board in Section 5 (1) of the Ceylon Electricity Board Act, No. 17 of 1969, it has claimed.

“The Court Order states that the Board should make the said appointment on temporary basis under Section 5 (1) of the CEB Act. The Court order does not state that its order should be read in conjunction with any other provisions in the CEB Act.

“Specifically, the Court order does not state that the age of the person selected for appointment as the General Manager on temporary basis should be below 60 years, or the said appointment should be subject to Section 5 (4) of the CEB Act. However, this is a moot point since the retirement age of all CEB employees has been increased to 62.

“The order of the Court of Appeal is an interim order that will remain in force until the final determination of the case.

“The CEBEU claims that the above appointment of Dr. Perera as the General Manager is illegal and violated the order of the Court of Appeal, based on its own interpretation of the said Court Order. The CEBEU has conceded that the suitability of the person appointed as the General Manager shall be determined in terms of Section 5 (1) of the CEB Act.

“Hence, the CEBEU cannot second guess an order issued by the Court of Appeal and take the position that the said order should be read together with Section 5 (4) or any other provision in the CEB Act when the Court has not made any reference to such provisions in its order.

“Section 5 (1) of the CEB Act states that “the Board shall, with the approval of the Minister, appoint a competent and experienced person as the General Manager of the Board.” In communicating the Board’s decision taken on 14 -01-2022, the Chairman of CEB has stated that he obtained the Minister’s concurrence to appoint Dr. Perera as the General Manager based on the Court order.

“The General Manager is a CEB employee and subject to all CEB rules and regulations, including the disciplinary rules applicable to CEB employees. The CEBEU’s argument that the person appointed as the General Manager should not be an outsider, or a

person “not eligible to be appointed as a CEB employee” has no basis since Section 5 (1) or any other clause in the CEB Act contains no such requirement.”



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Government focuses on developing a unique Food Security Index for Sri Lanka

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The government is currently prioritizing the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.

This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.

The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.

As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held on  Tuesday (17) at the Colombo City Center. Organized by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.

Delivering the opening remarks, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilization and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.

Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.

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Opp. MPs stage walkout over Speaker’s bias against them

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Govt. blames them for misbehaviour in Parliament

MPs of the SJB and some other Opposition parties staged a walkout in Parliament yesterday, protesting against the Speaker’s refusal to allow them to discuss the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and its potential impact on Sri Lanka.

The walkout was followed by a special meeting of Opposition leaders, held at the Parliament complex, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Among those present were MPs Dilith Jayaweera, Namal Rajapaksa, and Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the protest was against the Speaker’s refusal to allocate time for an urgent debate on the Middle East conflict, which Opposition MPs argued poses serious risks to Lankan nationals and businesses, particularly about 10,000–20,000 Lankans currently working in Israel.

Premadasa accused Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne of silencing the Opposition, stating that he had been denied the opportunity to raise a matter of national importance. “We no longer approve of your conduct in this House,” he said, warning that continued disregard for parliamentary procedure would lead to more protests.

Premadasa emphasised the need for immediate government action to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in the war-torn region and to mitigate economic fallout from the conflict, which, he warned, could escalate into a broader war with possible nuclear implications.

Health and Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament that the government would address the issue during an adjournment debate later in the day and that a statement from the Foreign Ministry would follow.

Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara criticised the Speaker for suppressing Opposition voices, adding that the decision to boycott the remainder of the day’s sessions was a direct result of repeated restrictions.

Leader of the House, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected the allegations, placing blame on the Opposition for ‘unacceptable conduct within the chamber’.

ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam opted to remain in Parliament and participate in the debate, though he, too, condemned the government’s repeated efforts to curtail the Opposition’s right to speak.

By Saman Indrajith

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Senior SLAS officer succeeds Bogollagama as SL’s UK HC

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Newly appointed HC to the UK Nimal Senadheera signing the visitor's book at the London Buddhist Viharaya

Nimal Senadheera officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on Monday, 16 June, at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. The occasion was marked by a traditional and dignified ceremony.

Senadheera succeeded Rohitha Bogollagama who took over the mission in Nov 2023 during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the President.

Senadheera was warmly welcomed by officials and staff of the Mission. In his address, he highlighted the Government’s vision to strengthen the Mission’s role in advancing Sri Lanka’s interests abroad, reflecting the aspirations of the people and the mandate entrusted to the current administration. He called on all staff members to work collaboratively in further enhancing Sri Lanka–UK relations.

The formal assumption of duties included the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by the serving of milk rice and sweetmeats, in keeping with Sri Lankan customs.

Senadheera is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) with over two decades of experience in public administration, diplomacy, and education. He has previously served at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria and held senior positions in the Central Provincial Council and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.

He holds an MSc in Public Policy from the University of Strathclyde (UK), a Master of Public Administration from Flinders University (Australia), and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya, specialising in English, Economics, and Sociology.

Senadheera and his wife arrived in London over the weekend. Upon arrival, they were received by Gordon Wetherell CMG, Special Representative of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Later in the evening, the High Commissioner, accompanied by his wife and staff, visited the London Buddhist Viharaya to invoke blessings as he begins his new diplomatic assignment.

Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

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