News
Verbal battle over Trinco oil tank farm

By Saman Indrajith
A tense situation prevailed in the House, yesterday, with the government and Opposition MPs being engaged in a verbal battle over the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.
A heated argument erupted when Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella raised concerns about the statements made by the Energy Minister on the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.
MP Kiriella said that the 15 oil tanks had been given to India and others reserved to be jointly developed by the IOC and Sri Lanka. “I was shocked to hear a statement by the Energy Minister that all oil tanks had already been given to India. There are 100 oil tanks of which 15 have been given to IOC.
There are 85 others to be developed jointly by Sri Lankan and the IOC. That did not happen,” MP Kiriella said.
SJB Kegalle District MP Kabir Hashim said that LIOC kept the oil tanks illegally and the government could have reacquired the oil tanks between 2005 and 2015 period.
MP Hashim also demanded to know from Minister Gammanpila whether the government would reacquire the tanks now. “The government is lying. Do not mislead the House. It is an MoU that we are talking about. It was agreed that MoU would go for a fully-fledged agreement after six months but that did not take place. Therefore, the LIOC is holding on to the tanks illegally. In 2005, you made an election pledge to take them over, but did not fulfil. After ten years in 2015, the LIOC was given space and permission to construct a lubricant plant. The tanks could have been taken back. It could be taken over even now. What I am asking is whether you will take it back or not.”
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila challenged the Opposition Members to table the MoU at issue.
Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella: “Eighty five tanks have not been given to India. They have been referred for joint development.”
MP Hashim: “If you are saying there is an agreement. Table it in the House so that people could know. After seeing the agreement we can accept what you say here.
Galle District SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that State Minister Susil Premajayanth had in a TV talk show revealed the truth the previous day. The energy minister was lying. Their statements were contradictory.
State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera asked Minister Gammanpila whether there was a clause on a condition of going for another agreement in six months.
Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the agreement in question was not a permanent one, and it was a lease agreement and would be tabled in Parliament. “There is no point in arguing this matter. I will table the official agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Trincomalee oil tanks today,” the Minister said.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
-
News7 days ago
Oracle Corporation pledges support for Sri Lanka’s digitalization
-
Sports4 days ago
Remarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka’s ODI team
-
Editorial7 days ago
Groping in the dark
-
Opinion7 days ago
Shortage of medicines: Senaka Bibile Policy is the solution
-
Opinion7 days ago
The passing of Sarjana Karunakaran
-
News5 days ago
Speaker agrees to probe allegations of ‘unethical funding’ by USAID
-
Features4 days ago
Scammed and Stranded: The Dark Side of Sri Lanka’s Migration Industry
-
Business4 days ago
UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka: Empowering Businesses to Lead Sustainability in 2025 & Beyond