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Power policy consultation ‘sham’, say consumers

Published

7 months ago

2026/01/23

The Electricity Consumers’ Association has raised serious concerns over the consultation process for the proposed National Electricity Policy, describing it as inadequate and legally questionable.National Secretary of the Association, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said he had been given only 30 minutes to present his views on the policy at a meeting held on Wednesday (21) at the Ministry of Power and Energy.

He said that although six members had been appointed to the National Policy Committee, only three were present at the meeting, casting doubt on the credibility and seriousness of the process.

Dhammika also criticised the absence of Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, who is widely reported to have drafted the policy, from the committee meeting.

“He wrote the policy and then walked away. We didn’t even get a chance to question him,” Dhammika said.

He alleged that the consultation lacked proper notice and planning, noting that he had been informed only by a phone call the previous evening and asked to attend the meeting the following morning.

“This is not how public views should be obtained on a national policy. It should have been done well in advance, in a systematic and transparent manner. It wasn’t even communicated to the media,” he said.

Comparing the process to the public consultation mechanisms used by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Dhammika described the exercise as a “makeshift, token process.”

He also raised concerns over the composition of the committee, stating that the inclusion of a retired senior official of the Ceylon Electricity Board—whom he said bears responsibility for the current state of the power sector and continues to favour coal power while opposing renewable energy—was a serious issue.

According to Dhammika, the proposed National Electricity Policy has been drafted in violation of existing laws.

“Under the current law, the authority to determine electricity tariffs lies with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. Through this new policy, there is an attempt to remove those powers from the Commission,” he alleged.

He warned that the policy centralises key decision-making powers—including licensing, power plant acquisitions, power infrastructure development, and renewable energy decisions—into the hands of a few individuals, calling it a high-risk approach.

“This is similar to how the Education Act was distorted under the guise of education reforms. It is shocking to see whether this is what the government calls a progressive new law,” he said.

The Electricity Consumers’ Association strongly opposes the formulation of the policy, with Dhammika describing it as “one of the most failed initiatives seen in recent times.”

He said that if implemented in such a haphazard way, the policy would result in higher electricity bills for low-consumption users, while high-consumption users would benefit from reductions of approximately 38% to 45%.

Dhammika also alleged that the policy discourages the solar power industry and promotes a diesel- and coal-dependent energy model driven by vested interests aligned with oil-based power generation.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage ✍️

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UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

37 mins ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

6 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

News

We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

8 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.