Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a crucial meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the sidelines of the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai on December 2.

The conversation brought attention to the common challenges presented by the Climate Change crisis in both nations.

Wickremesinghe extended an invitation to President Lula da Silva to participate in the Tropical Belt Initiative, stressing the significance of collaborative efforts within the initiative to address and alleviate the concerns affecting both Sri Lanka and Brazil.

The Sri Lankan leader also welcomed President Lula da Silva to visit the island nation.

Colombo (LNW): The Excise Department officials have reported a significant boost in monthly income amounting to Rs. 1 billion following intensified efforts to combat counterfeit stickers on liquor bottles.

This revelation came to light during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Summoning representatives from the Excise Department, Inland Revenue Department, and Sri Lanka Customs, the committee delved into issues highlighted in the report submitted to the President by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans.

One key focus was the amendment of the Excise Ordinance Act. Emphasising the importance of sustaining the increased revenue of the Excise Department, the committee stressed that ongoing random raids would deter the proliferation of fake stickers on liquor bottles.

The Inland Revenue Department faced inquiries regarding the functionality of the RAMIS system, with the committee scrutinising its current status and the integration of this data system with other government institutions.

Officials assured the committee that existing deficiencies in the data system would be addressed, making it fully operational by January 2024. The Inland Revenue Department disclosed that the number of tax files presently stands at around 700,000, with expectations of reaching 1 million in the future.

In addition to these discussions, the committee recommended that officials concentrate on developing a system to assess parties accurately adhering to income tax payments.

Furthermore, the committee underscored the potential for customs to surpass anticipated tax revenue by amending relevant laws. Extensive deliberations took place on the customs’ strategies to ensure the collection of due taxes.

The committee’s comprehensive approach aims to strengthen fiscal measures and enhance revenue generation across various government departments.

Colombo (LNW): A joint rescue operation by the army and police successfully rescued approximately 180 students from the Ragama Medical Faculty who were stranded during a hike in the Hanthana mountain range.

These students have safely been returned, according to reports.

In response to the outcomes of this year’s G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed the commencement of a scholarship program through the President’s Fund for students currently pursuing their G.C.E. Advanced Level studies.

Guided by President’s Secretary, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, the commencement of this scholarship program is effective from December (01).

To ensure comprehensive coverage, a meticulous plan has been devised to select 50 students from each of the 100 educational zones spanning the entirety of the island. This initiative aims to furnish scholarships amounting to Rs. 6000 per month for a total of 5000 deserving students.

Significantly, in the preceding year, the Presidential Fund successfully facilitated scholarships for 3000 students over 24 months.

In the year 2022 (2023), eligibility criteria for applying for these scholarships include being a first-time participant in the G.C.E O/L Examination, passing the examination, and qualifying for Advance Level studies. The applicant must be a student enrolled in a government school or a non-fee levying private school. The basic eligibility criteria for application include a monthly family income not exceeding Rs. 100,000.

Application forms and pertinent details for this scholarship opportunity are available for download on the official websites of the President’s Secretariat (presidentsoffice.gov.lk), the President’s Fund (presidentsfund.gov.lk) and the President’s Media Department (pmd.gov.lk).

Upon completion, applicants are requested to submit their applications to the Principal of the school where they undertook the GCE O/L examination.

The success of this program is contingent on the cooperation and support of students and principals alike, and the President’s Fund earnestly anticipates their active involvement in ensuring the success of this endeavour.

USAID and the PUCSL join hands to enhance SL’s power distribution 

Sri Lanka’s power distribution management transparency has been enhanced through a visualization platform deploying digital technology, Public Utilities Commission sources revealed.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) , in collaboration with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), launched the Electricity Dispatch Database and Dashboard, an online platform towards this end. 

Developed and funded by USAID’s Sri Lanka Energy Program, the Dispatch Data Dashboard is a comprehensive tool that allows stakeholders to access and visualize data.

It is relevant to electricity generation, forecasts, costs, reservoir details, and emissions, providing insights into the energy sector’s intricate operational dynamics. 

The initiative will help foster transparency and accountability within Sri Lanka’s energy.

The Dispatch Data Dashboard features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to a broad audience.

 Users will be able to query dispatch data, gaining valuable insights into the dispatch process and the rationale behind cost optimization. 

This transparency not only promotes accountability but also encourages collaboration among industry players, paving the way for improvements in the dispatch process.

The Dispatch Data Dashboard will be used for a wide array of stakeholders, including sector analysts, researchers, current independent power producers, future renewable energy developers, and environmental organizations.

 The online dashboard is available at https://gendata.pucsl.gov.lk/home. The USAID Sri Lanka Energy Program is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, driving positive change for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Members of the public will now have the ability to comprehend the dispatch process, enabling them to raise inquiries and contribute to discussions about the energy sector’s future. 

This marks a significant step forward in democratizing information and fostering a sense of ownership among the public.

Chris Powers, Director of the Economic Growth Office of USAID stated that, “This Dashboard will help drive financial sustainability of the power sector, while contributing to the viability of the nation by enhancing energy security and ensuring the lowest possible cost of electricity.

By fostering transparency and empowering stakeholders, this tool is an instrumental resource in our collective fight against climate change.

 In understanding and optimizing our energy management processes, we pave the way for a more sustainable future, driving efficiencies that contribute to reducing the cost of power generation while reducing our carbon footprint. 

In the face of climate challenges, knowledge is power, and the Dashboard empowers us all to make informed decisions that positively impact our environment.”

“The Dispatch Data Dashboard represents a major leap towards a more transparent and accountable energy sector in Sri Lanka,” said Professor Manjula Fernando, Chairman at PUCSL. 

The Dispatch Data Dashboard is anticipated to play a crucial role in driving down generation costs for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). 

The government will be obtaining technical and financial assistance, especially from international organisations to implement renewable energy ventures including two wind power projects in the North.

Sri Lanka has recently unveiled a green hydrogen roadmap introducing a strategy to leverage offshore renewable potential in the Northern Province.

Two 350 MW of Wind Power Projects will be developed by Adani Green Energy with a total investment of $442 million

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has said progress of the 500 MW Renewable Energy Project in Mannar & Pooneryn was discussed with Anil Sardana, MD & CEO of Adani Transmission Ltd and project management team”.

Sri Lanka has now designated three large renewable energy projects in the North and Eastern Provinces as a result of this agreement.

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have formed a joint venture to build a 50MW solar power park in Trincomalee’s Sampur area.

He outlined the country’s commitment to obtaining 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, with a focus on excluding fossil fuels.

Ninister Wijesekera called for the support of state leaders in achieving this ambitious target, highlighting the need for financial backing.

The Minister estimated a requirement of at least US $ 12 billion by 2030 for the successful implementation of renewable energy projects.

He underscored the need of, providing a dedicated platform for Sri Lanka to engage with local and foreign organisations and make crucial decisions on financial considerations.

The Adani Group has signed a MoU with the Sri Lankan government to develop two large-scale renewable energy projects in the neighbouring country.

The MoU was signed at the Finance Ministry of Sri Lanka on March 11, 2022 between the representatives of Adani Group, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) and the Board of Investment (BOI).

Both renewable energy projects will cost approximately $500 million and will have a combined power output capacity of 500 MW. Mannar is located on the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka.

Pooneryn is a small town on the Jaffna Peninsula, immediately south of the Jaffna Peninsula. Both projects are in Sri Lanka’s north. The projects will take approximately a year to complete.

He emphasised the pivotal role of this year’s conference in advancing Sri Lanka’s renewable energy agenda.

He highlighted the significance of the opportunity to generate electricity through sustainable resources, emphasising that plans for this initiative were presented last year.

He noted the findings of survey reports by global institutions, such as the World Bank and development agencies, indicating the substantial potential for electricity generation to meet both national and regional needs.