Business

Sri Lanka eyes India grid link as ADB pushes Pan-Asia energy integration

Published

5 months ago

2026/05/6

Priyantha Wijayatunga speaks at the Samarkand Energy Forum of the ADB.

Sri Lanka’s long-discussed electricity grid connection with India is gaining renewed momentum, as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) intensifies efforts to promote cross-border energy integration across the region.

At the ADB Annual Meetings in Samarkand, Senior Director for Energy, Priyantha Wijayatunga, identified the proposed India–Sri Lanka grid interconnection as the most promising avenue to strengthen the island’s power sector. The concept dates back to the 1970s, when Sri Lanka, following the completion of the Mahaweli Development Project, even explored the possibility of exporting electricity. However, rapid economic growth and rising domestic demand shifted the country toward energy imports.

Today, with energy security and cost pressures mounting, the idea has regained urgency. “The time is right,” Wijayatunga said, stressing that political will and financing will be decisive. While undersea transmission cables make the link technically viable, costs remain a major challenge. The ADB, he confirmed, stands ready to support Sri Lanka as a development partner in advancing the project.

Sri Lanka’s prospects are closely tied to a broader regional vision being advanced by the ADB through its Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI). The initiative aims to transform how energy is produced, shared, and consumed across Asia and the Pacific by promoting cross-border electricity trade and grid connectivity.

PAGI is designed not merely as a collection of projects, but as a systems-level integration platform that connects national grids into subregional and eventually continent-wide networks. Its core objectives include bridging energy gaps, enhancing energy security, integrating large-scale renewable energy, and strengthening resilience across interconnected systems.

A key pillar of PAGI is leveraging the region’s resource complementarity. Countries in South Asia, for instance, possess uneven but highly complementary energy resources—hydropower in Nepal and Bhutan, and solar and wind potential in India. By linking grids, countries like Sri Lanka could tap into these diverse energy sources, reducing dependence on costly fossil fuel imports while improving reliability.

ADB estimates suggest that deeper regional power trade in South Asia could yield substantial economic benefits, including lower system costs and more efficient energy distribution. The initiative also envisions mobilizing up to $50 billion in investments by 2035, expanding transmission infrastructure, and improving electricity access for millions.

For Sri Lanka, integration into such a regional grid could be transformative. A connection with India would allow the country to import affordable electricity during shortages, stabilize supply, and support its transition toward cleaner energy. It could also open the door to future participation in a wider South Asian power market.

With feasibility studies and policy discussions already underway, and with ADB backing firmly in place, Sri Lanka’s long-envisioned grid connection with India now appears more achievable than ever.

As the Samarkand meetings underscore the urgency of regional cooperation in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape, Sri Lanka stands at the threshold of a new chapter—one where energy security is strengthened not in isolation, but through connection.

by Sanath Nanayakkare in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

22 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.