News

Mystery power failure: PUCSL begins public hearing

Published

4 years ago

2021/03/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘It has taken this step as CEB is not cooperating,’ says expert

By Rathindra Kuruwita

For the first time in its history the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will hold a public hearing, on 27 May, as part of its investigation to find out what caused the countrywide power failure on 17 August, 2020. PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said the session would commence at 9.30 am.

It was the first time that such a massive power failure had occurred in the country and no room should be left for another one.

“Because of this power failure, the CEB was unable to serve a total energy demand of 27.5 GWh, which is estimated to be around Rs. 4 billion. In addition, there were other consequential losses due to the failure. This public hearing will be to figure out what happened.”

Ratnayake said that a public hearing was akin to a commission and those who testify before it would do so under oath.

The PUCSL has asked stakeholders, including the general public, to send in written submissions to the ‘Chairman, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, Level 06, BOC Merchant Tower, 28, St. Michael’s Road, Colombo 03.’ These submissions can also be faxed to 0112392641 or emailed to consultation@pucsl.gov.lk. These submissions should be sent within 28 days from 28 March 2021.

An energy sector source said that the PUCSL had taken the step as the CEB had not provided it with data and a report that the regulator had asked for.

The Committee appointed by the Minister of Power to probe the power failure had only handed its report to Minister Dullas Alahapperuma in the third week of February, but it had not been made public or any action taken based on the recommendations of the Committee.

“In fact, the report was finished by the end of December but the CEB representative and another member didn’t sign the report until February. So, there was a deliberate delay in submitting the report too.”

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News

President confers Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award on Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Published

5 mins ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

In appreciation of the enduring friendship and cooperation extended to the people of Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Disanayake conferred the prestigious Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award on Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The President presented the award to Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi following an official meeting held on Saturday (05) at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting took place as part of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Sri Lanka, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

[PMD]

News

Seven MOUs exchanged between India and Sri Lanka covering multiple sectors

Published

9 mins ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between India and Sri Lanka, covering several key sectors, were exchanged on Saturday (05) morning at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Marking a new chapter in Indo-Sri Lanka relations, these agreements focus on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, digitalization, defence, healthcare, and development assistance.
Accordingly, the following MoUs were exchanged:

1. MoU between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka for Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power- Exchanged by Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry Energy of Sri Lanka, and Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India.

2. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation. – Exchanged by Mr. Varuna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy of Sri Lanka, and Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India.

3. MoU between the Government of India, the Government of Sri Lanka, and the Government of United Arab Emirates for Cooperation in Development of Trincomalee as an Energy Hub – Exchanged by Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka; Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India; and Khaled Nasser AlAmeri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka.

4. MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Sri Lanka – Exchanged by Retired Air Vice Marshal H.S. Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka, and Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India.

5. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health & Medicine between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the Ministry of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka- Exchanged by Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

06 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Pharmaceutical Cooperation was exchanged between the Indian Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka – The MoU was exchanged by Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

07 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for Eastern Province was exchanged by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, Mahinda Siriwardana and Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

A number of Cabinet Ministers representing the Government of Sri Lanka, along with India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other members of the Indian delegation, participated in this event.

News

Bribery chief says don’t abuse the term ‘political victimization”

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/6

Thilina Walpola

Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Ranga Dissanayake, says that the abuse of the term “political victimization” will no longer be tolerated, and those who misuse the term will face strict legal action.

Dissanayake told a media conference held at the CIABOC auditorium: “There is a widespread perception that the law is not effectively enforced in this country. This perception has arisen because, as the President said on Anti-Corruption Day, small fish are caught while the big fish escape. This perception exists for several reasons, including delays in the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission’s processes. At times, the public is unaware of the injustices that occur within the Commission.”

Addressing politicians who make public statements, he requested, “I sincerely ask political leaders who issue statements to the media to kindly refer to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 that you have endorsed. Please refrain from making certain statements without a proper understanding. This law has been enacted independently of any prior connections or influences. I have been in this position since the beginning of this year. The Bribery Commission currently has 31 legal officers, and there is no capacity to recruit additional staff at this time.”

He also highlighted the significant challenges faced by the Commission, revealing that approximately 4,000 unresolved case files remain due to limited resources and personnel. “No matter what we do, people will still ask, ‘How many criminals have been caught?’ This situation is the result of limited resources and staff,” he said.

Dissanayake also said: “If anyone is going to claim political victimization, let them find evidence and prove it. Otherwise, the powers granted by this law will be used against those who make false claims.”

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon