Connect with us

News

Suspension of LNG project irks Opp.

Published

on

Kanchana and Prof. Herath

Herath asks whether govt. wants to pave the way for new player

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Cabinet-approved national energy policy related to the development of natural gas infrastructure has been suspended by the government following representations made by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.

Dissident SLPP MP Prof. Charitha Herath on Tuesday (22) said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has approved Minister Wijesekera’s proposal in this regard.

Minister Wijesekera has recommended the procurement of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) in terms of a government to government agreement or some other means until a permanent arrangement could be made.

Addressing the media at the rebel group’s Nawala Office, the SLPP National List MP pointed out that the Cabinet approved Minister Wijesekera’s move in spite of Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, asserting the initiated Cabinet approved process should be cancelled, only as a last resort.

The Island couldn’t obtain Minister Wijesekera’s comments as regards accusations made by the rebel group as he didn’t answer his phone.

Prof. Herath questioned the rationale behind reversing the project at a time the country was experiencing extreme economic difficulties. The academic alleged that the ministry and the CEB seemed not to be on the same page on the sudden move to reverse the plan aimed at developing natural gas infrastructure.

The former Media Ministry Secretary asked whether recent talks in New Delhi between Sri Lanka and India at the highest level influenced the decision. Minister Wijesekera was among President Wickremesinghe’s delegation.

Referring to Dullas Alahapperuma’s tenure as the Power and Energy Minister during Gotabaya Rajapaksas’s presidency, Prof. Herath said that Alahapperuma had to give up that portfolio as the then Cabinet authorized highly disputable agreement with the US-based New Fortress Energy for the same purpose. Prof. Herath alleged that the agreement with the US firm, too, had been inked at the expense of the national plan.

Prof. Herath explained how the controversy over New Fortress Energy deal caused irreparable damage to the Rajapaksa government.

The rebel MP said that the new plan approved by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government could be geared to facilitate the entry of a new player at the expense of long-term power generation plans. The MP alleged that for want of cohesive policy regarding the power sector the country suffered irrevocable losses over the years. Blaming the successive cabinets for changing plans to suit the agendas pursued by interested parties, Prof. Herath said the losses due to their failure to implement the LNG project could be as much as Rs 50 bn.

MP Herath yesterday told The Island that Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay was in parliament to brief selected group of MPs regarding the developments in the wake of President Wickremesinghe’s visit to New Delhi. Appreciating the Indian assistance amounting to over USD 4 bn provided during the unprecedented financial crisis, Prof. Herath said that it wouldn’t be fair to exert undue pressure on Sri Lanka over development of vital sectors.

Prof. Herath thanked Justice Minister Rajapaksa for the stand he took in respect of the controversial moves in the power sector. The original plans envisaged development of floating storage and regasification unit at Kerawalapitiya on built owned and operated basis and a related plan to develop offshore and onshore regasification LNG transmission pipeline network with on-shore receiving facility and associated systems from the floating storage and regasification unit.

At the onset of Tuesday’s briefing, Prof. Herath explained how the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government pursued a highly controversial agenda regardless of consequences.



Latest News

Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

on

By

The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

Continue Reading

News

INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

Published

on

By

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure  the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

Published

on

By

A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Continue Reading

Trending