September 23, Colombo (LNW): Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa today (23) reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring an uninterrupted supply of electricity, stating that power outages will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Speaking at a media briefing, Dr Jayatissa defended the recent decision to cancel all leave for employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), following the President’s directive classifying electricity services as essential. He emphasised that this measure was necessary to maintain stability in the country’s power sector.

“The government cannot and will not permit power cuts,” he stated. “Electricity supply is now designated an essential public service. What we are saying is simple: if you’re employed in this sector, you are expected to report for duty. If, for any reason, someone cannot continue, there is a compensation process. But the work must go on. These reforms are essential for the country’s progress.”

Addressing further questions about the ongoing restructuring efforts at the CEB, Dr Jayatissa said the goal is to reduce operational inefficiencies and bring down overall costs, which could ultimately result in lower electricity bills for consumers.

He acknowledged the growing concerns around rising tariffs, saying, “Yes, we want to provide relief—not just for industrial investors, but also for households and ordinary consumers. The way the current system operates, a blanket increase in electricity rates creates a number of problems. We need to approach the issue in a more targeted way.”

According to Dr Jayatissa, part of the strategy involves reassessing the structure of the CEB itself. Rather than running the board as a single, centralised entity, the government is exploring the possibility of separating different components—such as generation, transmission, and distribution—into more streamlined, semi-independent units.

“By analysing each segment individually, we can understand where the inefficiencies lie, and where improvements can be made,” he said. “If managed correctly, this will not only reduce costs but also make the system more responsive and accountable.”

By: Staff Writer

September 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s electricity pricing system came under sharp review this week as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) technical team met with Parliamentarians and government officials to examine reforms to the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) tariff methodology ahead of a key November 2025 deadline under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

The joint session, led by IMF mission chief Delphine Prady, brought together the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, as well as officials from the Energy Ministry, Finance Ministry, CEB, and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

While described as a technical review rather than a policy-making exercise, Sri Lankan participants stressed that the tariff framework must strike a balance between cost reflectiveness, cost recovery, affordability, and renewable energy goals.

Cost Recovery and Investment

Officials noted that ensuring cost recovery is essential for the sector to meet its total expenditure, curb inefficiencies, and attract the financing and credit required for modernisation. Cost reflectiveness, meanwhile, would ensure consumers are billed in line with the actual cost of serving their demand, reducing the burden of cross-subsidies between customer categories. Without such measures, the power sector risks deepening losses and deterring investors.

Renewables at the Core

A central theme was Sri Lanka’s renewable energy target of 70% by 2030. Experts emphasised that achieving this will require not only expanding solar, hydro, and wind power but also investing in energy storage, transmission upgrades, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen.

Thermal generation, while still part of the mix, was branded as “super expensive” and volatile, leaving the country exposed to global fuel price shocks. Renewables, though increasingly competitive, demand substantial upfront investment and long-term policy certainty.

Affordability and Consumer Protection

Participants highlighted the risks posed by volatile generation costs, stressing the need for accurate forecasting and predictable tariff structures to avoid sudden price shocks for households and businesses. MPs underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable consumers through targeted subsidies, safeguarding workers affected by restructuring, and ensuring that efficiency gains result in fairer outcomes for the public.

Governance and Transparency Gaps

The discussions also exposed weaknesses in governance, with concerns raised over incomplete cost breakdowns, opaque Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and inadequate information systems. Stronger regulatory independence and data integrity were deemed critical for applying an effective and credible tariff methodology.

Policy, Not Just Technicalities

Both IMF representatives and local stakeholders agreed that tariff reform cannot be approached as a purely technical task. Instead, it must be rooted in broader policy goals: building a financially viable electricity sector, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting vulnerable groups, and enhancing transparency across the industry.

As the November deadline approaches, the debate highlights the difficult balancing act facing Sri Lanka keeping electricity affordable for consumers while ensuring the power sector’s sustainability and alignment with the country’s climate commitments.

By: Staff Writer

September 23, Colombo (LNW): On the invitation of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, three representatives from the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka) joined the 2025 United Nations Private Sector Forum (PSF) in New York yesterday. The high-level roundtable, held during the UN General Assembly week, brought together 50 global CEOs, government leaders, UN Principals, and the UN Secretary-General to discuss how private capital and investment can drive sustainable, inclusive growth.

Representing Sri Lanka were Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman/CEO of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and Chairman of Network Sri Lanka; Supun Weerasinghe, Group CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC and Network Sri Lanka Board Member; and Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of Network Sri Lanka.

The 2025 UN PSF comes at a pivotal time. This year marks a decade since the launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 25 years since former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call for businesses to join the UN Global Compact. It also precedes a series of key global milestones, including the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the World Social Summit, the Food Systems Summit, and COP30.

The Forum convenes amid climate disruption, rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions. UN Secretary-General Guterres stressed the need for urgent investment in energy infrastructure, green technologies, trade reform, and modernised financial systems while ensuring equity and opportunity for all.

According to the upcoming UN Global Compact–Accenture CEO Study, 66% of CEOs remain committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Businesses increasingly see sustainability not as a regulatory burden but as a driver of profitability, innovation, and resilience. The study highlights a shift from waiting for perfect conditions to acting decisively, recognising that delay heightens risks and erodes long-term value.

For Sri Lanka, still navigating economic stabilisation and recovery, participation in such a forum is particularly significant. Network Sri Lanka’s presence highlights the private sector’s role in shaping resilience and sustainable growth at home. From sustainable agriculture and food security to digital inclusion and climate adaptation, Sri Lankan businesses are contributing to challenges that transcend borders.

This visibility also positions Sri Lanka within global decision-making spaces, reinforcing that even small markets have a voice in shaping the future of inclusive growth.

Unlike traditional summits, the UN PSF serves as a working roundtable where solutions are discussed, partnerships built, and practical ideas advanced. The 2025 edition focuses heavily on unlocking private capital to meet the SDGs, requiring trillions of dollars annually. Discussions resonated strongly with Sri Lanka’s own development priorities, including climate action, food systems, and digital transformation.

Network Sri Lanka’s engagement in New York signals the country’s determination to participate in and benefit from the global transition toward sustainability. As the UN marks key anniversaries this year, Sri Lankan leaders’ presence affirms the nation’s role in a collective journey to a just, inclusive, and resilient future.

Through this engagement, Network Sri Lanka aims to encourage more Sri Lankan companies to align with international sustainability standards and deepen cross-border partnerships, positioning the island as a credible partner in building a thriving global economy.

By: Staff Writer

September 23, Colombo (LNW): The India–Sri Lanka Foundation (ISLF), a bilateral initiative established in 1998, has once again taken center stage in fostering cross-border collaboration. At its 40th meeting in Colombo, the foundation approved a series of new proposals spanning education, culture, health, environment, agriculture, and capacity building. While these initiatives underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, they also raise questions about balance, dependency, and long-term impact.

The Pros: Strengthening Ties and Building Capacity

One of the most promising aspects of the newly approved projects is their diversity. Academic collaborations in library science and the performing arts can help nurture talent and strengthen intellectual exchange between Sri Lanka and India. Similarly, cultural workshops and tourism promotion have the potential to revive heritage sectors that are struggling post-crisis, offering soft-power benefits to both countries.

In the health sector, awareness programs on cancer and menstrual health for vulnerable communities, along with training opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals in India, could address critical knowledge gaps. These projects are particularly significant given Sri Lanka’s ongoing healthcare challenges, where resources remain stretched and specialized training is often limited.

The environment-focused initiatives, including mangrove restoration and microbiome engineering research to prevent plant diseases, represent another forward-looking approach. Sri Lanka’s coastal ecosystems and agriculture are both highly vulnerable to climate change, and India’s scientific expertise could contribute valuable support. At the same time, fisheries capacity-building efforts will directly benefit livelihoods in coastal communities, an area vital to both economies.

Women’s empowerment initiatives also deserve recognition. Targeted workshops and support programs for underprivileged communities could help tackle gender inequities and enhance social inclusion, aligning with broader sustainable development goals.

The Cons: Dependency and Soft Power Dynamics

Despite the positive outlook, several concerns warrant scrutiny. First, while the ISLF frames its efforts as joint initiatives, many of the training and capacity-building opportunities are hosted in India, creating a risk of one-sided dependency. Sri Lanka may become increasingly reliant on Indian expertise rather than developing homegrown solutions.

Second, the heavy emphasis on Indian-led initiatives could reinforce perceptions of India’s soft power dominance in the region. Cultural and academic collaborations, while valuable, may risk overshadowing Sri Lanka’s unique identity if not carefully balanced. Critics argue that projects of this nature, though framed as cooperative, often tilt toward India’s geopolitical interests.

Another challenge lies in implementation. With more than 600 projects supported since its inception, questions remain about how effectively these initiatives are monitored and whether they achieve their intended long-term benefits. The risk of overlapping programs without measurable outcomes could dilute the foundation’s impact.

A Balanced Path Forward

The ISLF remains a valuable platform for fostering goodwill and strengthening bilateral relations, particularly at a time when regional cooperation is crucial. However, Sri Lanka must ensure that its participation in such initiatives enhances, rather than undermines, its autonomy and local capacity. A stronger focus on joint ownership, transparent evaluation, and alignment with Sri Lanka’s development priorities will be key to maximizing benefits.

In essence, the new projects approved at the 40th ISLF meeting symbolize opportunity, but their ultimate success will depend on how equitably the partnership evolves in practice.

September 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence has confirmed a new policy directive requiring all weapons, ammunition, and associated gear used by private maritime security firms to be stored within Sri Lanka Navy facilities, subject to strict military oversight.

The announcement, made in Parliament today (23) by a Defence Ministry representative citing a communication from the President, forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen control over privately held armaments linked to maritime operations.

According to the Ministry, the move is designed to improve accountability and minimise potential risks arising from the handling and storage of high-powered weaponry by non-state actors.

The decision also builds on a Cabinet-approved resolution from July 2025, which authorised the Sri Lanka Navy to take a more central role in maritime security duties across key commercial ports. Under that resolution, the Navy is permitted to operate independently in designated maritime zones, operating under the broader guidance and authority of the Ministry of Defence.

September 23, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations office in Sri Lanka has voiced serious alarm over the decision by Singapore-based maritime operator X-Press Feeders to reject a Supreme Court order to pay US$1 billion in compensation for the catastrophic environmental damage caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel.

In a statement shared via its official account on X (formerly Twitter), the UN office described the company’s refusal to comply with the court’s ruling as “deeply concerning”, and called for greater corporate accountability in light of the scale of destruction left in the wake of the disaster.

“We urge the shipping company to reconsider the magnitude of harm caused to affected communities, coastal regions, and marine ecosystems,” the statement read. “Justice must be upheld—not only for the people whose livelihoods have been shattered, but for the environment that continues to suffer the long-term consequences.”

The UN’s comments follow remarks made by X-Press Feeders CEO Shmuel Yoskovitz, who defended the company’s position during an interview with international media. He argued that accepting the Sri Lankan court’s verdict could disrupt the foundations of maritime law by disregarding the long-established principle of limiting liability in international shipping disputes.

Yoskovitz insisted that the decision to decline payment was rooted in legal principle rather than disregard for the incident’s impact. “The judgment poses a threat to the established norms of maritime commerce. The whole industry functions on a framework that limits liability, and this ruling undermines that framework,” he said. He further criticised what he described as the “open-ended” nature of the financial penalty.

The X-Press Pearl, which flew the Singaporean flag, sank off Sri Lanka’s western coastline in May 2021 following a prolonged onboard fire. The vessel was carrying a volatile cargo, including chemicals and plastic pellets, when it caught fire and eventually sank, unleashing extensive environmental damage that affected marine life, fisheries, and coastal communities.

The incident has since been recognised as one of the most severe marine pollution events in Sri Lanka’s history. In the years following, the disaster has triggered legal battles, diplomatic tensions, and mounting calls from civil society and environmental groups for international accountability.

With the UN now weighing in, pressure continues to mount on X-Press Feeders to reassess its stance. The case is being watched closely by legal experts and environmental advocates, who view it as a test case for how international maritime law responds to large-scale ecological harm in the age of globalised shipping.

The X-Press Pearl disaster caused catastrophic harm to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and coastal communities.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a vital step toward justice and accountability.#MarinePollution #JusticeForOceans https://t.co/CVfb89cTHh

— UN in Sri Lanka (@UNSriLanka) September 23, 2025

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https://lankanewsweb.net/archives/128862/singapore-shipping-firm-rejects-billion-dollar-payout-over-sri-lanka-maritime-disaster/

September 23, Colombo (LNW): In a heartfelt ceremony celebrating the achievements of exceptional Sri Lankan women, Subhadra Mohotti Samarakoon Vithanage was honoured with the prestigious Sri Lankan Iconic Woman 2025 award.

The event, organised by TOP C magazine of Action Media Solution (PVT) Ltd and powered by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), recognised her enduring contributions and inspirational journey.

Surrounded by family and well-wishers, Subhadra graciously accepted the award, smiling from her wheelchair as she was presented the iconic trophy. The award recognises women who have made lasting impacts in society, embodying resilience, leadership, and service.

Also present at the occasion was her husband, Ariyasiri Vithanage, a celebrated former SLBC broadcaster and founder of Tradlanka (Ariya Foods), a company known for promoting Sri Lanka’s agricultural heritage through rice, tea, and spices.

Ariyasiri continues to serve the nation through his role on the State Radio Advisory Board of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka.