News
Who prevents Litro from using available equipment?

Asantha responds to Udaya’s accusations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Asantha de Mel yesterday (27) said that Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila should make a genuine effort to enter the lucrative LPG (liquid petroleum gas) market.
Minister Gammanpila, who is also an attorney-at-law, could find out who had prevented state owned Litro (formerly Shell) to undertake the project without further delay, De Mel said. “Consumers will benefit if the state entered the market. There cannot be any justification in depriving CPC /Litro opportunity to use available equipment.
The former national cricketer said so in response to The Island query whether he accepted responsibility for losses suffered in 2008 to the tune of Rs 37 mn when his controversial bid to enter the LPG market went awry.
The Island raised the issue with de Mel in the wake of Energy Minister Gammanpila calling for a report on what he called squandering of public funds on equipment et al which were never used. The former Chairman said that the incumbent minister couldn’t be unaware of what was going on at the time.
Mel said: “When Laugfs sought to extend the exclusive contract it had with the CPC to procure the entire stock of LPG gas output at the Sapugaskanda refinery, I on behalf of the CPC took up the position; the buyer should pay the real market price. They disagreed. When they declined to work out an agreement fair by both parties, I took the initiative to procure equipment necessary to begin bottling gas. They moved the Supreme Court against me over cases of hedging bringing my tenure as CPC Chairman to an end.”
The former CPC Chairman said that legal action prevented them from using the LPG produced at their own facility. Contrary to claims and unsubstantiated allegations, De Mel emphasized that the CPC undertook the project with the cabinet approval. The then Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie submitted a cabinet paper in that regard. Minister Gammanpila could easily verify it with the Cabinet office, De Mel said, adding that he wouldn’t even bother to respond to the Energy Minister if The Island had not raised the issue with him.
An irate De Mel said that for 12 years no one bothered to use the available bottling facility at Sapugaskanda. Now that the Minister Gammanpila had vowed to uncover the truth, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader should first of all inquire into the circumstances under which the Laughs had entered into an exclusive agreement with the CPC to procure the entire LPG stock produced at Sapugaskanda at terms detrimental to the government. How could they expect the agreement to continue without any alterations, De Mel asked, expressing concern the incumbent government wouldn’t take tangible measures in that regard.
According to him, Laugfs moved court when the CPC was planning to call for tenders to procure gas cylinders.
Responding to another query, he said the Energy Ministry should reveal the amount of LPG produced at Sapugaskanda refinery that was made available to Litro and Laugfs, the per percentages and how the ministry intended to utilize the equipment acquired in 2008.
In April 2011, the media reported the government directing that CPC LPG output be shared 50 per cent each between Litro and Laugfs after the CPC unilaterally decided to split it 70 % to 30% in favour of Litro. The CPC moved prompted Laugfs to complain to the government.
The former CPC Chairman emphasized that prevention of state from competing with the private sector couldn’t be justified under any circumstances.
Accusations over hedging agreements signed by de Mel with two banks, in respect of buying fuel in late Nov 2008 led to his suspension by the Supreme Court. The SC also recommended that Minister Fowzie be replaced. Of the two petitions against De Mel, one was filed by the chairman of Laugfs gas company W.K.H. Wegapitiya, another petition by Kiniyawala Palitha thera, the then UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake MP and Ravi Jayawardena.

News
“Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” continues in the vicinity of the President’s office

The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
News
French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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