News
Senior CAA official in a soup over arbitrary communication with LPG service provider
by Suresh Perera
A senior Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) official has been censured for arbitrarily seeking information from a private company in the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) business in Sri Lanka on the feasibility of a proposal it made to the Trade Minister on bulk purchases under a joint procurement system.
The official has said in a letter to the company that the information was being sought by the CAA “as per instructions of the Minister”. However, he has been taken to task for not keeping the regulatory body’s Chairman and Board of Directors informed of the move on a “nationally sensitive issue relating to LPG”.
The seven questions raised by the official from the LPG service provider encompasses the discount receivable or contracted price reduction on bulk LPG purchases, maximum capacity of LPG tanker that can reach port terminal, intended maximum bulk quantity to be purchased at a time and the number of cycles per month, anticipated freight charges and quantum of freight saving per metric ton and anticipated terminal handling fee and the saving on it.
Moreover, information on transport charges from Hambantota terminal to the filling centre at Biyagama/Kerawalapitiya and any other additional cost to be incurred under the proposed joint procurement system have also been sought.
“We didn’t know anything about it until he showed a copy of the letter to the Chairman after sending it to the company concerned”, says Thushan Gunawardena, CAA’s Executive Director.
Asserting that the official has used the “CAA for private matters and withheld information of national importance”, he said that in terms of Section 19 of the CAA Act, an official in that capacity should consult the Authority (Executive Directors plus Chairman) before communicating with an outside party.
On whose instructions did you write to this company and why didn’t you refer the questions to the Chairman prior to sending them across at your own discretion without consulting the authority?, Gunawardena has asked in an explanation sought from the official concerned.
“As the official has so far not clarified the position by responding to the explanation sought, I expect the Chairman, Human Resources Development division and the internal auditor to institute immediate action against him for non-compliance with the institutional code and the CAA Act”, the Executive Director said.
He said the official concerned could be held accountable for negligence of fiduciary duties, withholding information/sharing redacted documents to mislead the authority, writing to a private organization on a nationally sensitive issue without consulting the authority and non-compliance with authority directives.
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 May 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and 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.
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