News
Power cuts certain as it stands- CEBEU

Crisis management committee has not met for three months
By Ifham Nizam
The Country would experience rotational power cuts due to the negligence of some top officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) warned yesterday.
A senior Electrical Engineer and one time President of CEBEU told The Island that masses would experience more power cuts unless immediate action was taken.
“The Power Crisis Committee Meeting has not been held for three months by the CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga despite our warnings,” a committee member of the CEBEU said.
The power shortage would be due to shortage in the installed power generating capacity to meet the forecasted demand and also due to a possible fuel shortage affecting power generation, they said.
“Despite repeated warnings by the CEBEU as a Trade Union and our members in their official capacities, CEB Chairman and outgoing General Manager Eng. M.R. Ranatunga had not taken any steps to plan and prepare for such an eventuality. Despite repeated requests, no “Power Crisis Meetings”, a regular meeting convened by all past GMs to identify impending power shortages and to make any adjustments early, has not been held during the term of present GM,” a senior engineer said.
CEBEU also said it was critically important for all authorities to identify at least now itself why there was a severe project implementation delay in the country and address the Causes of such Problems (to eliminate the Problem) instead of blaming the Effects/Results of the problem.
“We wish to caution authorities not to allow a crisis to take place and thereafter resort to very expensive short-term solutions such as supplementary power (popularly referred to as emergency power) purchasing to overcome only the effects of the problem,” the Union added.
Non-implementation or the delaying of scheduled power plants and the cancellation of finalised power plants had resulted in the imminent crisis, the union said. Withholding 150MW ground mounted solar tender by the State Ministry of Renewable Energy Projects Development for more than 15 months and inexcusable dragging of already finalized 350 MW CCY power plant at Kerawalapitiya (Sobadhavi) are some examples of the most recent root causes which are to be readily attended as long-term solutions, the union said, adding that the authorities should conserve fuel for power generation by taking measures to cut down fuel on transport use by resorting to innovative measures such as encouraging and facilitating work from home arrangements immediately.
The Union also pointed out that all authorities should follow the Sri Lanka National Energy Policy recommendations, which were published in 2019 and well before the COVID Pandemic.
“We urge authorities to run this country based on such long-term policies and actions already identified instead of managing from crisis to crisis basis,” the Union added.
News
Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka, Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.
Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.
Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.
News
Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).
The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’ programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.
The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.
To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation, K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.
Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit; N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.
News
President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.
The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.
These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18) morning to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.
The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.
President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.
In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.
During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of appreciation for his outstanding service.
The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.
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