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National Audit Office urges CEB to help achieve renewable energy goals

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/17

The National Audit Office has, in a recent evaluation report on the process of developing renewable energy sources, recommended a coordinating mechanism to avoid delays in obtaining approvals for energy projects, and asked the CEB to comply with National Energy Policy and international conventions when it prepares the long-term generation plan.

Sri Lanka will not achieve President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s goal to increase the total Renewable Energy generation to 70% of total energy production in Sri Lanka by 2030, a performance audit by the National Audit Office states.

The new renewable energy generation, apart from hydro power, accounts for only 12 per cent of the total energy supply in 2020 and the contribution of large-scale hydropower plants is 25 percent.

In keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other global conventions, Sri Lanka is expected to increase the renewable energy contribution to 70 percent by 2030. However, the report observes that although the country has set up a goal to achieve the full transition (Balance in the Carbon Budget) of all power supply networks by 2050, according to the Low Cost Long Term Generation Plan 2022-2041 presented by the CEB, the power generation from renewable sources will be only 50 per cent up to 2041 and two coal power plants had also been included in the Generation Plan.

It has also been observed that steps have not been taken to reduce the length of time, almost two years, required for the complex process of approving renewable energy projects. The Audit Office adds that the Sustainable Energy Authority has been collecting applications and fees from developers for the construction of renewable power plants since 2017, but no action has been taken to implement these projects by the end of 2021.

“Only 13 solar power projects of one megawatt each had been added to the national grid from 2017 to the end of 2019. Applications are currently being invited for the development of wind power plants only for a capacity of 60 MW. It was observed that only 269 MW of capacity were connected to the main grid under the Soorya Bala Sangramaya Programme,” the report says.

The National Audit Office said that in September 2021, the Cabinet decided that Sri Lanka needs to generate 70% of power from renewable sources by 2030, that there must not be new coal power plants and that the country must achieve Carbon Neutrality in Energy Generation by 2050.

“Further, it had also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy to direct the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board to take immediate steps to prepare a Least Cost Long Term Generation Plan 2022-2041 based on the general policy guidelines applicable to the power industry by the Cabinet decision. However, the Ceylon Electricity Board had unveiled the Least Cost Long Term Generation Plan 2022-2041 which did not comply with the government’s new policy in October 2021. According to it, it will generate 50 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2041 and two coal power plants have also been included.

The new targets had been announced also by the President of Sri Lanka at the United Nations Energy Conference on 22 September 2021. Although it should be noted that the currently operating Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant alone emits about 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, it has not been done accordingly,” the National Audit Office said.

The report also said that the National Policy states that it will reduce the length of time required for the approval of renewable energy projects through a central coordination mechanism, the necessary steps had not been taken so far. As a result, the Office notes, entrepreneurs are wasting their valuable time, money and labour unnecessarily and are discouraged and have to abandon projects and it missed opportunities to add new energy sources to the national grid.

“Although the policy states that the Ministry of Power and Energy will appoint a committee consisting of officials from government agencies and Line Ministries to coordinate the approval of renewable energy projects and land acquisition by the end of 2019, the committee had not been appointed until now. Failure to do so would have hampered the smooth running of the process and the implementation of the goals and objectives set out in the National Policy within the stipulated time frame and this was an obstacle to achieving the desired performance,” the report said.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

20 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

20 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

21 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.