By: Staff Writer

February 16, Colombo (LNW): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery with a comprehensive $900 million investment pipeline for 2025.

 This initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilize the country’s economy, enhance key sectors, and align with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed reform framework. Beyond financial support, ADB aims to drive policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and knowledge-sharing to foster sustainable growth.

During a briefing on ADB’s 2024 portfolio performance and future plans, ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono underscored the bank’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development agenda. He emphasized that ADB’s involvement extends beyond financing to include policy advisory services and capacity-building efforts.

ADB Country Operations Head Cholpon Mambetova elaborated on the strategic focus for 2025, highlighting the $900 million indicative investment earmarked for key sectors such as macroeconomic stability, energy, agriculture, finance, tourism, and skills development. These initiatives will be executed through various funding modalities, including policy-based loans, results-based lending, investment projects, and technical assistance programs.

As of January 1, 2025, ADB’s active sovereign lending portfolio stands at $4 billion, encompassing 27 projects with 36 loans and four grants. These initiatives target critical areas such as energy, transportation, human development, governance, financial sector stability, and urban development.

In 2024, ADB approved $808 million in funding for projects aimed at strengthening the power sector, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing water supply and sanitation, and ensuring fiscal sustainability. Recognizing Sri Lanka’s constrained fiscal space, ADB is prioritizing the mobilization of private sector investments, with Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) identified as a key strategy for infrastructure development and service delivery.

Kadono highlighted the significance of the Port Access Elevated Highway project, funded by ADB, which is set to open in the second half of 2025. He also noted that while Sri Lanka’s economic growth exceeded expectations in 2024, driven by the construction and services sectors, the country’s 2025 growth outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Tourism and financial services are expected to be primary drivers of economic expansion.

In addition to direct project financing, ADB is leveraging blended finance mechanisms and development partnerships to secure additional resources. Kadono reiterated that ADB’s support is not just about lending but about ensuring structural and policy reforms that will create a resilient and inclusive economy.

ADB has been a key development partner to Sri Lanka for decades, providing cumulative assistance exceeding $12.6 billion since 1966. With the country still facing limited access to global financial markets due to ongoing debt restructuring, ADB’s role has become even more crucial. The bank remains a vital funding source, particularly as bilateral financial flows remain uncertain and investor confidence gradually recovers.

Kadono further stressed the importance of revenue mobilization and public sector reforms, with ADB’s assistance tied to concrete fiscal and governance milestones. He highlighted the restructuring of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as a priority, particularly in sectors plagued by inefficiencies and financial losses. By addressing these challenges, ADB aims to support Sri Lanka in building a more stable and self-sufficient economy.

By: Staff Writer

February 16, Colombo (LNW): All generators at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, which had been non-operational following the recent island-wide power outage, have now been fully restored and reconnected to the national grid.

According to a spokesperson of the power plant, two generators have already been connected to the national grid, while the third generator can also be connected if necessary.

Following the island-wide power outage on February 9, the Norochcholai Power Plant’s protocol system was activated, causing all three generators to shut down. This had resulted in a loss of 900 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

In response, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) imposed island-wide power cuts, lasting one-and-a-half-hours on February 10 and 11, and one-hour on February 12.

However, by last morning (14), the third generator of the Norochcholai Power Plant was successfully reconnected to the system.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Energy announced yesterday (14) that daily power cuts would be discontinued.

With the first generator, which had remained idle, also connected to the national grid later in the afternoon, the Norochcholai Power Plant has now contributed 600 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

A unit of Sri Lanka’s Norochcholai Power Plant has been reconnected to the national grid on Friday morning, making it unnecessary to continue with power cuts, the country’s power utility said.

“One unit of the Norochcholai Power Plant was successfully reconnected to the National Grid this morning,” Ceylon Electricity Board Media Spokesman Dhammike Wimalaratne said.“As a result, demand management measures will no longer be necessary starting today.”

The CEB imposed 90 minute power cuts on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during the evening peak on a rolling basis to manage demand, after three coal plants were put out of action after a cascading power failure on Sunday.

 Sri Lanka had 90 min power cuts on Feb 10 and 11 after coal plant outage The power failure came from the inability of the grid to recover from shocks due to a large volume of rooftop solar power, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union said.

By: Staff Writer

February 16, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has announced that Sri Lanka is preparing to implement an electronic passport (e-Passport) system. Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, confirmed that all legal barriers have been removed following the lifting of a court injunction. With agreements signed with relevant companies, the issuance of e-Passports is expected to commence within the next eight months.

Currently, passports are being issued through traditional methods. However, to meet anticipated demand, the government is making arrangements to import one million new passports. Furthermore, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, disclosed plans to recruit 186 Immigration and Emigration officers to facilitate the proposed 24-hour passport issuance service.

To expedite recruitment, a request has been submitted to the Department of Examinations to schedule a relevant examination for graduate applicants. Once a date is confirmed, an official Gazette notification will be issued. Additionally, a list has been forwarded to the Public Service Commission for the temporary recruitment of 14 Assistant Controllers to support the Department of Immigration and Emigration in launching the rapid passport issuance service.

The long-anticipated e-Passport initiative, featuring biometric chips compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.

Sources from the Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed that the project, which had been stalled for nearly nine years, has now resumed. 

The bidding process for procuring five million e-Passports recently concluded, including necessary software updates required for system implementation.

A senior department official noted that the selected supplier would need several months to finalize the system, with the goal of rolling out the e-Passport project by the last quarter of the year. 

The e-Passport will feature a microchip embedded into the existing passport structure, containing biometric data such as fingerprints and a standardized photograph.

 The previous government had halted the project due to high costs and concerns raised by suppliers regarding eligibility criteria and additional security features.

 Consequently, the prior Expression of Interest (EOI) was withdrawn in August last year, leading to a fresh tender announcement in November 2023.

A senior Ministry of Public Security official stated that the country needs to issue over 700,000 e-Passports annually, with the project expected to cost approximately USD 15 million. 

The revised e-Passport tender issued in November introduced new specifications. 

Unlike the earlier approach, the latest tender only requires suppliers to provide passports with embedded chips, both with and without a polycarbonate biodata page. 

Notably, the chip placement follows a decades-old design, where it is embedded in the passport cover rather than using the latest technological advancements.

In parallel, the government is enhancing security and operational efficiency at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) through the integration of advanced biometric technology.

 This upgrade will facilitate the seamless processing of e-Passports for local travelers, aligning Sri Lanka with global security and travel efficiency standards.

By: Staff Writer

February 16, Colombo (LNW): Organic agriculture has gained significant momentum in recent years as consumers and stakeholders increasingly recognize its environmental, health, and economic benefits.

As global demand for organic products continues to rise, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to expand its organic farming sector.

To ensure a robust and credible organic agriculture value chain, it is crucial to enhance awareness and education on organic standards, market opportunities, and certification processes.

In alignment with this vision, the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the official regulatory body for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), has launched an ambitious nationwide initiative to promote organic farming practices.

This large-scale awareness program aims to educate key stakeholders, including farmers, exporters, and processors, about the principles and benefits of organic agriculture, fostering a trustworthy and sustainable industry.

As part of this national initiative, the first awareness program of 2025 was successfully conducted in Jaffna on January 21 at J Hotels.

The event attracted an enthusiastic audience of around 100 participants, representing various sectors of the agricultural industry.

The interactive sessions provided valuable insights into organic farming methods, processing techniques, market potential, standards, and international certification procedures, highlighting NOCU’s crucial role in building a credible organic agricultural framework.

The program was jointly organized by NOCU and the EDB Northern Province Office, featuring expert speakers who shared their knowledge with attendees.

NOCU has planned a series of four comprehensive awareness programs across the country in 2025, designed to educate farmers, exporters, processors, and government officials on organic farming principles, processing techniques, market trends, Sri Lankan organic standards, and international certification requirements.

These sessions aim to strengthen the country’s organic agriculture sector and ensure adherence to globally recognized best practices.

As the governing body responsible for maintaining the credibility of organic agricultural products in Sri Lanka, NOCU plays a vital role in regulating and verifying organic goods sold locally, imported, and exported.

With the growing consumer demand for reliable organic products, both domestically and internationally, fostering a well-informed agricultural community is essential to uphold the integrity of organic food production.

Since its establishment in 2014, NOCU has been instrumental in promoting Sri Lanka’s organic agriculture sector. By implementing targeted awareness initiatives, the organization continues to support the growth of the industry, ensuring that Sri Lankan organic products meet high standards and gain broader recognition in international markets.