January 02, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union has reportedly declared its intention to initiate a three-day protest starting tomorrow (03) against the proposed Bill aimed at restructuring the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

The protesters’ primary demand during the protest would be the immediate withdrawal of the Bill by the Minister of Power and Energy, Ranjan Jayalal, Chief Secretary of the union, emphasised.

He expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the proposed restructuring, asserting that Minister Kanchana Wijesekara wants to sell this off together with the President and warning that the CEB workers will go for a massive strike action, were the bill to be passed arbitrarily in Parliament.

Simultaneously, Ratna Gamage, the national organiser of the All-Ceylon Fisheries Federation, voiced concerns about the new Fisheries Act, highlighting the crisis it has brought upon their industry.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): In the early hours of Tuesday (02), a devastating incident occurred at a warehouse situated in Point Pedro, Sea Beach Road, Munei, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives.

The fire originated within a rigifoam box and plastic warehouse primarily utilised for fish packaging, Police said.

The victims, aged 37 and 45, were residents of the Lomantwatta area in Udupussellawa and were employed in the fish processing sector.

As of now, the exact cause of the fire remains undisclosed.

The Point Pedro Police are conducting further investigations into this unfortunate incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the fire and the subsequent loss of lives.

By: Isuru Parakrama

January 02, Colombo (LNW): In the continued islandwide efforts to crack down illicit activities and maintain public safety, the ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) operation conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) apprehended 822 more suspects, bringing the cumulative total of apprehensions to 20,742 suspects since the programme’s initiation on December 17, 2023.

The Ministry of Public Security reported that these arrests were made throughout the special operation until 12:30 am today.

In the latest sweep, law enforcement also seized a significant amount of illicit substances, including 273 grams of heroin, 111 grams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), 1.6 kilograms of cannabis, and 426 narcotic pills.

Notably, the Police efforts have not only led to the apprehension of suspects but also resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics.

Furthermore, the multiple raids conducted during the operation have led to the confiscation of various illegally acquired assets, including properties and vehicles.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of the recent fuel price adjustment in Sri Lanka, private bus owners have taken a stand against fare increases, asserting that the current fuel price hike does not surpass the threshold specified in the national policy formula for bus fare adjustments.

Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne explained that, according to the national policy formula, bus fares can only be raised if the fuel price increase exceeds 4 per cent.

With the recent fuel price adjustment announced by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO), private bus operators have decided to maintain existing fares, he noted.

CEYPETCO Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya confirmed the implementation of a fuel price increase, including Value Added Tax (VAT), with specific adjustments for various fuel types.

By: Isuru Parakrama

January 02, Colombo (LNW): The National People’s Power (NPP) spearheaded by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has declared its commitment to ramping up organisational activities by mobilising diverse social organisations, Daily Mirror reported citing Party National Executive member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

The former MP shared insights outlining the party’s strategy to establish a national movement aimed at engaging society at various levels for a successful contest in the upcoming Presidential Election.

With a focus on fostering broader societal participation and bolstering the party’s grassroots connections, the NPP aims to form alliances with different social organisations, Dr. Jayatissa told Daily Mirror.

He emphasised the importance of galvanising support across diverse sectors to build a formidable presence leading up to the Presidential Election.

The announcement comes as part of the NPP’s broader efforts to consolidate its organisational structure and expand its reach among various demographic groups.

Jayatissa highlighted the party’s determination to create a united front that resonates with the concerns and aspirations of the Sri Lankan populace.

In recent developments, the NPP showcased its commitment to inclusivity by conducting one of the biggest women’s rallies in recent history. This event not only served as a platform to address issues relevant to women but also demonstrated the party’s dedication to promoting gender equality and women’s active involvement in the political sphere.

As the political landscape in Sri Lanka evolves, the NPP’s strategic move to intensify organisational efforts reflects a proactive approach to mobilising support and ensuring a robust presence in the lead-up to the Presidential Election.

The party’s emphasis on forming a national movement aligns with its vision of creating a united and engaged citizenry actively participating in the democratic process.

January 02, Colombo (LNW): Around 600 complaints are lodged each year involving health staff, including doctors, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana disclosed addressing a function held at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital recently.

Addressing the event, Pathirana addressed concerns regarding the consistent flow of complaints related to medical negligence in the sector.

Expressing his apprehension, the Minister noted that this year’s complaint figures mirrored those of the previous year, prompting questions about the health sector’s dedication to patient welfare.

He emphasised that there is a pivotal role to be played by the hospital staff, especially doctors, in delivering quality healthcare, adding that however, thorough analysis of patient complaints had identified numerous mistakes, stressing the urgent need for heightened dedication from health sector professionals.

In the face of challenges within the health sector, Pathirana urged staff to prioritise service to the people and reassess their commitment to ensuring patient well-being.