News
Power cuts to be increased to ten hours daily

By Ifham Nizam
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would extend the power cuts to ten hours daily from today (30), the Ministry of Power yesterday said
Currently, the water levels in the reservoirs, used to generate electricity, were rapidly receding due to the severe dry weather conditions affecting the country, the ministry said.
The water level of Castlereagh Reservoir has dropped to 15.34 metres from the overflow level. The units of power that can be generated from the remaining volume of water are 07.3 Gigawatt hours, which is 07.7% of the total capacity of the Reservoir.
The Maussakelle Reservoir water level has dropped to 13.69 m from the overflow level, and it can generate 77.7 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 27.4% of its total capacity.
The water level of Samanala Wewa Reservoir has dropped to 25.20 m from the overflow level. Accordingly, the remaining water volume of the Samanala Wewa reservoir can generate 15.2 gigawatt units of electricity which is 11.4% of its total capacity.
The water levels in the main reservoirs of the Mahaweli complex to generate electricity are as follows: Kotmale Reservoir has dropped to 24.97 m from the overflow level. Accordingly, the water volume of the Kotmale Reservoir can generate 29.0 gigawatt hours of electricity and it is 20.3% of its total capacity.
Victoria Reservoir water level has dropped to 27.49 metres from the overflow level. Accordingly, the water volume of Victoria Reservoir can generate 133.3 gigawatt hours of electricity which is 30.1% of its total capacity.
The Power Ministry said water from these Mahaweli reservoirs to generate hydro power would have to be restricted as the country’s drinking water requirement and agricultural activities should be given priority as well.
Latest News
Sri Lanka Navy joins commencement of AMAN-2025

The multinational naval exercise AMAN-2025, hosted by the Pakistan Navy for the ninth time, commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on 07 Feb 25. The event was attended by Commanding Officer and crew of SLNS Vijayabahu, representing the Sri Lanka Navy.
AMAN-2025 will be held from 07 to 11 Feb in Karachi, and the multinational naval exercise will see the attendance of Navy Chiefs, stakeholders and think tank from maritime fraternity, from 60 nations.
News
SME representatives accuse presidential aide of instigating protest against Central Bank

A presidential advisor, identified as D. Gamage, had asked a delegation representing the SME sector to “surround the Central Bank” instead of troubling officers at the Presidential Secretariat, Susantha Liyanaarachchi, Chairman of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) told the media yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat.
Liyanaarachchi said so following a meeting with Gamage, on Friday, during a protest staged by a group of small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, affiliated with the MSME Joint Alliance, outside the Presidential Secretariat against parate executions.
Five representatives were permitted to enter the Secretariat, where they also submitted a 17-point proposal aimed at reviving the domestic coconut oil industry.
“Gamage said there was no point in coming to the Presidential Secretariat. He asked us to surround the Central Bank. What an awful officer. We came here to settle our issues amicably, and Gamage told us to surround the Central Bank,” Liyanaarachchi said.
Liyanaarachchi also stated that the Central Bank did not adhere to instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exacerbating the concerns voiced by the MSME entrepreneurs.
News
Govt. to seek new indictments in Lasantha murder case

By Saman Indrajith
The government would try to initiate fresh indictments in the Lasantha Wickrematunga murder case, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said on Friday, pledging that those responsible for the murder of journalist Wickrematunga would be held accountable. She also stated that she intended to respond personally to a letter from Wickrematunga’s daughter, Ahimsa, who has called on Parliament to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ransinghe (Jr.) over the recent release of three suspects.
Ahimsa Wickrematunga’s request for impeachment followed the release of several individuals—among them a police officer—who had been arrested on accusations of destroying evidence, including a notebook belonging to her father and key police records. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said, “I plan to respond directly to Ms Wickrematunga, as I fully understand her concerns and the distress she must be experiencing. We are doing our utmost to observe due process and uphold the independence of the Attorney General’s office, but justice must prevail.”
She went on to say, “We intend to seek justice for Lasantha Wickrematunga’s murder. President [Dissanayake] has met with those involved to determine the best course of action. We are examining the possibility of refiling or initiating new inquiries if necessary, as there is plenty of evidence.”
Opposition legislator Rauff Hakeem noted that the suspects were released on a technicality related to an identification parade, and expressed concern that the Attorney General was selectively releasing certain suspects, despite there being many dedicated officers within the Department. He added, “Ultimately, the purpose of all our judicial institutions is to deliver justice. If procedures obstruct that aim, we must re-examine them.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated that the Government is open to debating the matter in Parliament, saying, “We will look at refiling charges or bringing new indictments where appropriate. We fully appreciate the gravity of this situation and the need for transparency, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.”
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