February 18, Colombo (LNW): An alarming revelation has come to light regarding the burgeoning overcrowding crisis at the prison hospital, prompting serious apprehensions among supervisory authorities.

The current inmate population at the facility has surged to 350 individuals, significantly surpassing its intended capacity of 185, Prisons Department Spokesperson Gamini Dissanayake told Daily Mirror.

This surge in occupancy has raised significant concerns among the authorities tasked with overseeing the well-being and healthcare provisions within the prison system.

Measures are currently being implemented to address the escalating congestion, as the situation demands urgent attention and intervention.

Despite the pressing need to alleviate overcrowding, Dissanayake clarified that expanding the hospital’s capacity is not a feasible solution at present. However, efforts are being directed towards easing congestion through the timely discharge of patients, thereby creating space for incoming individuals in need of medical attention.

Reports indicate that the severity of the situation has compelled authorities to resort to accommodating two patients in a single bed, underscoring the acute shortage of available space within the facility.

Such measures, despite being temporary, highlight the dire circumstances confronting the prison healthcare system and the imperative need for swift and effective resolutions.

The overcrowding crisis at the prison hospital not only poses significant challenges in terms of patient care and hygiene but also raises broader concerns regarding the overall management and resource allocation within the penal system.

As authorities navigate this critical juncture, concerted efforts are required to address the underlying issues contributing to overcrowding and ensure the provision of adequate healthcare services to incarcerated individuals in adherence to fundamental principles of human rights and dignity.

February 18, Colombo (LNW): In a notable development, the Chief Prelates representing the three Buddhist Chapters have articulated profound apprehensions regarding the possible emergence of social instability in light of ongoing discussions surrounding the privatisation of state assets.

Expressing their concerns, the Buddhist leaders conveyed a formal letter outlining their apprehensions to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

With their letter addressed to the highest office, the Chief Prelates aimed at drawing attention to what they perceive as a critical issue deserving of comprehensive consideration and deliberation.

By: Staff Writer

February 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will be introducing another electricity tariff revision following the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announcement of the date considering stakeholder consultations held on 15 in a chaotic situation.

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has demanded the PUCSL not to consider the alleged arbitrary expenses incurred by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in approving the proposed electricity tariff revision.

In a letter addressed to the Commission, the ECA has claimed that the CEB has paid high prices for emergency power purchases in violation of the approved prices.

“They have paid a high price of Rs. 120 per electricity unit after obtaining the relevant approval, indicating that they will pay only Rs. 56 per unit. More than Rs. 3 billion has been misused through this. It is not possible to consider such expenses as expenses of the CEB,” the letter read.

The letter further revealed that the CEB has allocated more than Rs. 5 billion for unlicensed power plants this year (2024), which the ECA stated is also not an expense that can be considered in determining electricity tariffs.

“In addition, more than Rs. 14 billion has been allocated for the construction of power plants and Rs. 53 billion for interest payments for this year. These expenses have been included with the aim of misleading the relevant institutions.”

Further noting that a Parliamentarian representing the Government has said that an additional tax of Rs. 9 billion has been imposed on fuel every month, the ECA stated that the PUCSL should take into account the matter when approving the electricity tariff revision.

Meanwhile Electricity demand fell by 22 percent to 4,516 Gwh during the first four months of the year 2023 from 4,935 Gwh in the corresponding period of the year 2022.

Nonetheless, the revenue generated from electricity sales for the respective period was more than doubled primarily due to the second upward price revision that took place with effect from February 15, 2023, with an average increase of 66 percent reflecting cost recovery adjustments.

Accordingly, the revenue generated from electricity sales was recorded as Rs.180,117 million for the first four months period of the year 2023.

In the future, CEB will implement a regular, bi-annual end-user tariff modification based on a forward-looking cost recovery basis in order to make CEB financially viable and minimize the budgetary burden on the government.

However, as a result of higher fuel and coal prices in the rupee terms, the direct generation cost was increased by 55 percent to Rs. 177,468 million in the first four months of 2023 compared to Rs. 114,460 million in the same period in 2022.

Further, due to the increase in interest rates on the bank borrowings for the working capital requirements, the finance cost has increased to Rs. 23,264 million in the first four months of 2023 compared to Rs. 5,876 million in the same period of 2022. 

February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) is gearing up to initiate a trade union action, commencing from Kandy on Tuesday (20).

The move comes in in an attempt to press the government to honour its commitment of providing the outstanding salary increment.

While the government had disbursed one-third of the agreed-upon instalment, they have failed to provide a clear timeline for the release of the remaining amount, Union Secretary General Joseph Stalin told media.

“Despite enduring 120 days of Aragalaya, we have only received a fraction of the promised increment. The escalating cost of living has exacerbated the financial strain on educators, making it increasingly challenging to sustain livelihoods. With no tangible progress in sight, we are compelled to resume our protest,” he told the reporters.

The forthcoming demonstration, set to kick off from Kandy, is anticipated to witness active participation from teachers, principals, and teacher trainers alike, as they advocate for their rightful entitlements.

February 18, Colombo (LNW): In a concerted effort to bolster Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, President Ranil Wickremesinghe conducted an observational tour of the Tangalle and Galle areas on the 17th of this month.

During the tour, President Wickremesinghe meticulously inspected several tourist hotels, actively engaging with proprietors to gain firsthand insights into their challenges.

Swift and decisive actions were taken as the President promptly addressed concerns raised by the business community. He liaised with relevant officials over the phone, orchestrating solutions and soliciting input on strategies for industry development.

The tourism sector in Sri Lanka encountered significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hurdles. However, with the implementation of new government initiatives, there has been a remarkable resurgence in tourist arrivals.

Notably, in 2023 alone, Sri Lanka welcomed 1,489,000 tourists, marking a twofold increase from the previous year.

Capitalising on this momentum, the government aims to surpass the peak of 2.5 million tourists in 2017 by 2024, with comprehensive plans already underway.

In a strategic move to attract high-end tourists, characterised by a daily expenditure of $500, the government has initiated ambitious infrastructure projects and innovative tourism promotion programmes.

President Wickremesinghe actively exchanged ideas with the business community regarding these initiatives, receiving positive feedback on the transformative impact of government programs on their operations.

The President’s itinerary encompassed visits to renowned tourist hotspots along the south coast, including Seenimodara, Dikwella, Nilwella, Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Habaraduwa.

Additionally, he evaluated the activities of the Weligama Surf School firsthand, underscoring his commitment to understanding the intricacies of the tourism landscape.

At the Unawatuna Tourism Zone, President Wickremesinghe engaged in insightful discussions with foreign tourists, seeking their perspectives on measures to further promote the tourism industry.

Furthermore, he interacted with local tourists at Tangalle and Galle beaches during the weekend holidays, attentively addressing their concerns and soliciting feedback.

Accompanying the President on this pivotal visit was Mr. Jeffry Dobbs, an esteemed individual dedicated to enhancing tourist experiences for both local and international visitors.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proactive tour exemplifies the government’s steadfast commitment to revitalising Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

Through collaboration with stakeholders and a focus on sustainable growth, the administration endeavours to ensure the enduring prosperity of the industry.

By: Isuru Parakrama

February 18. Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces after 4.00 p.m., and mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western, Uva and Easternprovinces and in Hambantota and Kandy districts, the statement added.

The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

February 17, Colombo (LNW): In a significant revelation, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara announced that a forensic audit conducted by KPMG has unveiled several major irregularities in the sales and distribution of petroleum products from Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd (CPSTL).

The forensic audit, initiated following a complaint filed by the minister with the CID in August 2022 regarding irregularities at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and CPSTL, has brought to light numerous concerning findings. The CID, after preliminary investigations, recommended a comprehensive forensic audit to delve deeper into the matter.

The KPMG investigation officials conducting the forensic audit discovered over 1.3 million entries changed or deleted from the main database since 2010. Notably, a significant portion of these alterations occurred in 2022 during the peak of the fuel crisis. However, following the minister’s complaint to the CID in August 2022, the number of changes significantly decreased in 2023.

The irregularities identified have resulted in massive losses amounting to Rs. 28 billion in stock handling procedures in 2022. Minister Wijesekara stated that after filing the complaint, the losses reduced to Rs. 4 billion in 2023.

Furthermore, the audit revealed a lack of adequate data within CPSTL for smooth operations and the identification of irregularities. Outdated circulars and procedures were also identified as being in use. The comprehensive forensic audit report is expected to be submitted to the ministry by KPMG next week, after which it will be handed over to the CID for further investigations and appropriate legal actions. The report will also be shared with the Cabinet of Ministers, Parliament, Auditor General, and the Attorney General’s Department to determine the necessary steps moving forward.