February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has been officially informed that the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill has been passed in Parliament with overwhelming support, securing a significant milestone in the legislative process.
The bill was approved without any amendments, and accordingly, will pave the for the much anticipated Local Government Elections.
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government confirmed the bill’s passage, with Professor Chandana Abeyratne, the Minister overseeing the department, announcing that the Speaker of Parliament signed the bill into law last night.
This final step confirms the bill’s passage, bringing it one step closer to being implemented.
With the official notification now in the hands of the Election Commission, the necessary preparations for conducting the elections will be set in motion.
The Commission will now begin its work to organise the elections, a key moment for local governance across the country.
During the bill’s third reading in Parliament, it received a resounding 158 votes in favour, with no opposition members casting votes, highlighting the strong bipartisan support for the legislation.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled on the bill, stipulating that two specific clauses required a two-thirds majority in Parliament due to their inconsistency with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The Court’s interpretation highlighted the need for a special majority under Article 84(2) for clauses 2 and 3, ensuring that the bill met constitutional standards before being passed.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): Chief Government Whip Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa has given assurances that the Sri Lankan government is committed to reducing the fuel tax, revealing that steps have already been taken to make this promise a reality.
Speaking in Parliament today (18), Minister Jayatissa announced that a detailed report regarding the fuel tax would be presented to the House in the near future.
This report, according to the minister, will not only outline the plans for the fuel tax reduction but will also delve into the history of how the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) became a financially struggling entity.
“We will provide a full account of how the CEYPETCO was driven into losses and the roles played by the ministers at the time. Everything will be revealed, and the relevant minister will address these matters in due course,” Jayatissa said, adding that the government aims to bring transparency to the situation.
The remarks were made in response to a query raised by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, who had sought clarification on the government’s commitment to reducing the current fuel tax of Rs. 50, a promise that had been made earlier.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian, Namal Rajapaksa, was granted bail today by the Colombo High Court following the formal presentation of indictments in the highly debated Krrish deal case.
Judge Manjula Tillekaratne, presiding over the case, set the terms for Rajapaksa’s release, which include a cash bail of Rs. 100,000, along with two sureties of Rs. 10 million each.
In addition, the court directed that Rajapaksa’s fingerprints be taken to verify whether he has any prior criminal history.
The Attorney General had filed criminal charges against Rajapaksa in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Rs. 70 million, which had been allocated by the Indian-based Krrish Lanka Pvt. Ltd. for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka.
These funds were reportedly misappropriated in relation to a deal with the controversial real estate company, Krrish, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the transaction.
The court also scheduled a pre-trial conference for March 27, marking the next step in the legal proceedings.
The case has attracted considerable attention, given the involvement of prominent political figures and the significant sums of money allegedly mishandled.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Examinations has officially declared that all tuition classes, including lectures, seminars, and workshops, for the 2024 Advanced Level Engineering Technology subject will be prohibited from midnight tonight.
This ban will also extend to the printing and distribution of model question papers, which is aimed at ensuring fairness and maintaining the integrity of the upcoming examinations.
Amith Jayasundara, the Commissioner General of Examinations, confirmed that the suspension of all related educational activities will remain in effect until March 01.
This decision has been made to prevent any undue advantages and to ensure a level playing field for all students across the country.
In the meantime, practical examinations for the 2024 Advanced Level Engineering Technology subject will commence tomorrow and run until March 01, taking place at 41 examination centres nationwide.
The Department of Examinations has emphasised that candidates should be aware of the specific details regarding their examination locations and times, which are clearly stated on their admission papers.
No alterations to these details will be entertained under any circumstances.
It is also crucial for candidates to arrive at their designated examination centre at least one hour prior to the start of their scheduled practical exam, as specified on the admission paper.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The skilled engineering team at SriLankan Airlines has successfully completed a comprehensive base heavy maintenance check on an A321neo aircraft for Salam Air, a valued long-term customer.
Not only was the maintenance finished well before the planned deadline, but the team also ensured that all operations were carried out with precision and efficiency.
A significant part of the work involved the replacement of the aircraft’s right-hand main landing gear seal, an essential component for the safe and optimal operation of the aircraft.
This task was executed to the highest standards, with the engineers demonstrating their expertise in maintaining the sophisticated systems of modern airliners.
SriLankan Airlines Engineering has continued to solidify its reputation as a trusted provider of base maintenance services across the region.
The department has seen an impressive influx of both returning clients and new contracts, reflecting the growing demand for its top-tier services.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): BDO Partners, a leading professional services firm, has provided its response to the 2025 budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The firm acknowledges the government’s efforts to balance economic growth with social welfare whilst advancing debt restructuring efforts supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
BDO Partners recognises the government’s projected total expenditure of Rs. 4,218 billion (excluding debt servicing) and appreciates the focus on public services, infrastructure, and social welfare.
The firm supports the administration’s commitment to fostering a market-driven economy, ensuring a competitive market structure, and regulating excessive market power concentration.
Regarding tax reforms, BDO Partners notes the significant modifications to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, including the shift from the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) to a risk-based refund scheme.
The firm highlights the inclusion of digital services under VAT regulations and the mandatory adoption of Point of Sale (POS) machines for VAT-registered entities as key steps towards strengthening compliance.
BDO Partners welcomes the increase in the personal income tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month and the expansion of the first tax band taxed at 6 per cent.
However, the firm acknowledges concerns over the capital gains tax increase from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, which could pose additional burdens on individuals and partnerships.
The firm also appreciates the government’s targeted social welfare initiatives, particularly the extended exemptions under the Social Security Contribution Levy for petroleum products and international trade-related transportation.
Additionally, the firm’s analysis indicates that tax increases on the betting and gaming industry, including a rise in the Gross Collection Levy from 15 per cent to 18 per cent, will have financial implications for the sector.
In terms of economic modernisation, BDO Partners supports the government’s initiatives to digitise Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly the introduction of a unique digital identification system and the transition towards a cashless economy.
The firm views the projected digital economy growth of US$ 15 billion over five years as an ambitious yet achievable target.
BDO Partners commends the investment in tourism infrastructure, including the Rs. 500 million allocation for a city branding campaign and improvements at Bandaranaike International Airport.
The firm also appreciates the proposed development bank for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the strengthening of research and development funding, and the rationalisation of state agencies to improve efficiency.
On education, BDO Partners acknowledges the Rs. 135 billion investment in university education and school infrastructure, as well as the planned expansion of scholarships.
The firm supports the government’s commitment to healthcare, particularly the Rs. 604 billion allocation, digitalisation of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, and enhanced primary healthcare services.
BDO Partners also highlights the importance of food security and agriculture, welcoming the Rs. 35 billion fertiliser subsidy and investment in crop production.
The firm supports regulatory reforms aimed at stabilising the paddy and rice market and encourages private investment in underutilised land to boost agricultural output.
Overall, BDO Partners views the 2025 budget as a comprehensive effort to address Sri Lanka’s economic challenges whilst laying a foundation for long-term stability.
The firm emphasises that the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation, strong governance, and the ability to navigate global and domestic economic uncertainties.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has outlined a series of immediate and long-term actions to address grid stability concerns following the nationwide power failure that occurred on 9 February 2025.
The incident, which took place at 11.13 a.m., left much of Sri Lanka without electricity and caused significant disruption to daily life.
In response, the CEB has assured the public that corrective steps are already underway to ensure a more stable and resilient national grid.
The power failure was traced to a disturbance at the 33kV Panadura Grid Substation, which led to a rapid voltage drop throughout the electricity network.
At the time of the incident, over half of the nation’s electricity demand was being met by solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, with additional power supplied from the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai and various hydropower stations.
However, the high share of non-synchronous solar PV generation left the grid vulnerable to instability.
The CEB explained that the lack of synchronous power generation contributed to low system inertia, making the grid prone to faults.
As the disturbance triggered an imbalance between supply and demand, this led to cascading disconnections and, ultimately, the complete loss of power.
Several key factors contributed to the magnitude of the outage. Firstly, the high penetration of solar PV, combined with low grid inertia, left the system exposed to voltage and frequency disturbances.
Secondly, the sharp voltage drop caused many solar PV systems to automatically disconnect, exacerbating the instability.
Additionally, the automatic response by the Norochcholai Power Plant to the disturbance—while preventing potential internal damage—resulted in further strain on the grid.
The power failure was also influenced by the “Sunny Sunday” effect, where a low weekend demand combined with high solar generation created an unstable situation.
With industries and commercial customers offline, the grid was operating with reduced demand and reduced inertia, heightening its susceptibility to such disturbances.
In the wake of this event, the CEB has implemented a number of urgent measures aimed at stabilising the national grid and preventing future outages.
These include ensuring that more synchronous generators are maintained at a minimum generation level and operating selected gas turbines in synchronous condenser mode at critical locations to support voltage stability.
The CEB has also curtailed the generation of ground-mounted solar PV systems during low-demand periods, when necessary, to reduce the risk of grid instability.
Looking ahead, the CEB is pursuing medium-term strategies to further improve grid reliability.
This includes adjusting rooftop solar PV inverter settings to prevent unnecessary disconnections during minor disturbances and introducing special industrial tariffs to encourage industries to operate during off-peak hours.
In addition, the CEB is promoting solar installations paired with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to improve grid resilience and stability.
The CEB also outlined several long-term solutions to modernise the grid and better integrate renewable energy sources. Key initiatives include deploying grid-forming inverters with BESS to provide synthetic inertia and stabilise frequency fluctuations.
Furthermore, the CEB is working to install emergency backup generators at the Norochcholai Power Plant to ensure rapid reconnection in the event of future disconnections.
The Maha Oya Pumped Hydro Project, a 600 MW storage facility, is also set to play a crucial role in enhancing grid flexibility and energy security.
Additionally, the CEB is advancing investments in Smart Grid technology to improve real-time monitoring and control of renewable energy inputs.
The CEB concluded by acknowledging the significant inconvenience caused to the public by the power outage and reaffirming its commitment to providing a resilient, reliable, and future-proof electricity supply.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The highly anticipated debate on the second reading of the 2025 national budget will begin in Parliament today (18), marking the start of critical discussions on the country’s financial future.
The debate is set to run until February 25, culminating in a vote on the second reading of the budget later that evening.
This period is expected to be a significant opportunity for parliamentarians to deliberate on the budgetary proposals, including allocations for key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Following the second reading debate, the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill will take place over a span of 19 days, including four Saturdays, from February 27 to 21.
This phase of the discussion will allow for a more detailed examination of specific budgetary allocations and the proposed distribution of public funds across various government departments and projects.
The final vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled for 21 March at 6:00 PM. This will mark the conclusion of the budgetary process, with Parliament giving its final approval to the government’s financial plan for the year.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo District Court has today dismissed a petition seeking an injunction to delay the upcoming election for the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which is due to take place on February 19, 2025.
The application, filed by Attorney-at-Law Lilanthi de Silva (case number DSP/63/2025), requested a court order to temporarily halt the election proceedings.
However, Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana ruled against granting the enjoining order, allowing the election to proceed as planned.
With the court’s decision, the election for the position of BASL President will go ahead without disruption on Wednesday (19).
The contest for the prestigious role will see former BASL Secretaries Rajeev Amarasuriya and Dr. Sunil Abeyaratne vying for the presidency for the 2025–2026 term.
In a related development, Anura Meddegoda PC, who had initially submitted his nomination for the post of President, recently decided to withdraw his candidacy, leaving the two remaining contenders to compete for the role.
The legal representatives involved in the case included Upul Jayasuriya PC, who appeared for the plaintiff, and Ali Sabry PC, who represented Rajeev Amarasuriya.
In other news, Attorney-at-Law Chathura Galhena was elected unopposed as BASL Secretary for the 2025–2026 term, securing his position without any contest.
February 18, Colombo (LNW): The re-scrutinised results of the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination were made available late last night (17).
Students and the public can now access the updated results through the official websites of the Department of Examinations at www.doenets.lk and www.results.exams.gov.lk.
The release of these re-scrutinised results follows an extensive review process, allowing those who requested a re-check to view their final marks.
The Department of Examinations has also reminded individuals that should they have any questions or concerns regarding the outcomes of their examinations, they are welcome to contact the department through several communication channels.
For further assistance, individuals can reach out via the following methods:
