News
Pathetic situation facing public revealed during clash over power sector reforms: Kanchana questions fellow SLPPer Gevindu’s suitability as MP

‘Power minister caused dispute violating consensus on amendment’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera (SLPP) has accused dissident SLPP lawmaker Gevindu Cumaratunga of hindering much needed reforms meant to improve the electricity sector.The Matara District lawmaker alleged that the National List MP simply repeated unsubstantiated claims on the basis of false information that had been provided by various interested parties hell-bent on disrupting the proposed reforms.
Minister Wijesekera regretted the inclusion of the leader of ‘Yuthukama’ civil society organisation among SLPP National List MPs. At the last general election, the SLPP secured 17 National List slots at the last parliamentary polls conducted in August 2020.
Minister Wijesekera and MP Cumaratunga recently clashed in Parliament over similar issues, including the recently gazetted Electricity Bill and the unprecedented discontinuation of electricity supply to consumers by the CEB and LECO (Lanka Electricity Company) over their failure to settle outstanding bills due to dire economic situation.
Minister Wijesekera alleged that MP Cumaratunga pursued a personal agenda at the expense of electricity sector reforms that were meant to address challenging developments in the expanding electricity sector.
During the heated exchange of words over the power sector issues, MP Cumaratunga emphasized that Minister Wijesekera acted contrary to a consensus reached between the government and the Opposition. Had Minister Kanchana as agreed included an amendment meant to ensure regulatory mechanism in respect of power generation, the ongoing dispute could have been avoided, MP Cumaratunga told The Island.
Referring to the adoption of ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Amendment Bill’ without a specific amendment on June 09, 2022 during the tail end of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency, MP Cumaratunga said that the original Electricity Act subjected power generation regardless of the size/capacity of particular project to tender process. Minister Wijesekera did away with that thereby creating an environment for corruption, MP Cumaratunga said, adding that the Opposition pressed for a regulatory mechanism.
“Following talks with concerned parties, an agreement was reached on an amendment to address our concerns,” MP Cumaratunga said. In accordance with that, the Minister agreed to free generation of up to 10 megawatts of tender procedures while generation of 10 to 100 megawatts was to be subjected to tenders, MP Cumaratunga said. The projects meant to generate 100 megawatts or more were to be subjected to parliamentary approval, MP Cumaratunga said, declaring that was the most important provision proposed by the Opposition. “Minister Wijesekera simply discarded the consensus on the agreement.”
Responding to another query, MP Cumaratunga said that in spite of the importance of the bill before the parliament, quite a number of MPs skipped the vote. Had there been any intervention by an external party to discourage MPs from voting against the bill.
Following the debate on the second reading of the bill, the Opposition called for a vote. According to MP Cumaratunga 120 votes were cast in favor and 36 were cast against. 13 Members of Parliament abstained from casting their vote. Thereby, the second reading was passed by a majority of 84 votes, he said.
Cumaratunga questioned Minister Wijesekera in parliament as to why he increased electricity tariffs having repeatedly promised that the new Amendment was meant to prevent further hikes in electricity. In addition to that the moves were afoot to privatize the CEB in the name of restructuring, MP Cumaratunga alleged, pointing out contrary to his assurances the state enterprise and the consumers were not safe today.
MP Cumaratunga urged Minister Wijesekera to review his power sector strategy anew and take tangible measures to reassure the CEB and the consumers as well.
Responding to MP Cumaratunga’s criticism of the electricity amendment bill, Wijesekera said that those who had painted an extremely negative picture of that initiative alleged that the enactment would swiftly lead to privatization of the CEB. “They expressed fears that the CEB would be abolished. Did such a thing happen following the introduction of the Amendment Bill? Scare stories and lies were propagated at the expense of the national economy.”
Minister Wijesekera challenged MP Cumaratunga to reveal just one instance the government accepted an unsolicited bid outside the laid down procedures in terms of the Electricity Amendment Act. Minister Wijesekera declared that the government hadn’t cleared a single project outside the procedures in place since the enactment of the new law. “What we really did was to rectify faults that had been caused at the time the government amended the Act in 2014. The 2022 enactment of the Electricity Amendment bill allowed the launch of projects that were held up since 2014. As a result of measures taken by the current dispensation, people were encouraged to invest in the renewable energy sector.”
Minister Wijesekera said that investors couldn’t be attracted unless the government was in a position to pay them.
MP Cumaratunga exchanged words with Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa who had been on the chair at the time the parliament took up the electricity sector reforms.
Minister Wijesekera again challenged MP Cumaratunga to reveal one unsolicited bid. MP Cumaratunga emphasized that the issue at hand was the creation of an environment to engage in corrupt practices.Minister Wijesekera assured that under no circumstances could procedures be violated as every project required the approval of the Public Utilities Commission.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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