Colombo (LNW): The proposed Electricity Sector Reforms Bill was submitted to the Cabinet today (30) for its observations and approval, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

The proposed reforms will unbundle the services of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), improve efficiency, transparency, competition and allow private sector participation in the electricity industry, the Minister wrote on his official X account.

“The Bill was prepared over the last 10 months with the assistance of energy and legal experts from development agencies and industry stakeholders. The Bill received the certification of the Attorney General last week after the proposed amendments by the AGs Dept was incorporated by the Legal Draftsman’s,” he wrote.

Wijesekara added that once the Cabinet approves the Bill, it will be gazetted and tabled in the Parliament for approval.

Colombo (LNW): Two officials from the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) have been suspended following the vanishing of nearly 700,000 kilograms of paddy stocks valued between Rs. 65 – 70 million.

Media outlets have reported that these paddy stocks went missing from two state-owned storage facilities in Kurunegala.

The Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board has confirmed the suspension of these two officials linked to the disappearance.

Last week, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested a report in response to claims of paddy stocks missing from five state storage facilities in the Kurunegala District.

Numerous grievances were lodged by PMB staff, suggesting that officials from both the central and regional PMB offices were implicated in the missing stocks.

Colombo (LNW): A senior World Bank (WB) delegation, led by Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations, visited Kopay Hospital in Jaffna today (30) to oversee projects under the Primary Healthcare System Strengthening Project, which the World Bank funds.

The delegation, which arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (29), also met with bankers in the Jaffna District.

A roundtable discussion will be held between them, the President and multilateral financial institutions tomorrow (31).

Anna Bjerde praised women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka for their passion and determination on the World Bank Sri Lanka Facebook page.

“Everywhere I go, I find inspiration from women entrepreneurs. In Jaffna, I met some incredible women supported by IFC – International Finance Corporation and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. From the Zumba teacher to the trailblazer breaking barriers in the construction sector, I was energised by their passion & determination,” Bjerde wrote on Facebook.

The same page highlighted Kopay’s divisional hospital’s crucial role during Sri Lanka’s crisis, serving over 16,000 people.

For the past five years, the World Bank has collaborated with the Sri Lankan government to enhance primary healthcare in over half of the country’s facilities.

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Railways announced the cancellation of multiple commuter trains set for this (30) evening due to a shortage of engine drivers.

Consequently, several commuter trains across all routes will not operate as scheduled.

However, train services on the Up Country Railway Line, which were previously disrupted due to a derailment, have now resumed.

The derailment occurred on Monday (30) afternoon at Kinigama, Bandarawela.

Colombo (LNW): Direct flights between Turkey and Sri Lanka started on Monday (Oct 30).

The inaugural direct Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Colombo transported 261 passengers, landing at Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday (30) morning.

Upon arrival, the passengers were greeted with a traditional Kandyan dance performance and gifted Ceylon tea packs by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

For nearly ten years, Turkish Airlines had routed its flights to Katunayake via Male, Maldives.

Now, the direct journey from Istanbul to Colombo takes just eight hours, with flights scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Each flight is set to depart Istanbul at 5:40 AM local time and leave Sri Lanka at 7:40 AM local time.

Colombo (LNW): Plans are underway for the establishment of an independent Parliamentary Standards Authority with the remit to dismiss MPs found guilty of serious misconduct, announced Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

This move, aligning with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s perspective, is aimed at drafting a code of conduct for Sri Lankan MPs and establishing an oversight body to boost public trust and ensure accountability, the Minister noted.

The preliminary draft received cabinet approval, and feedback will be sought from the Speaker and all Party Leaders.

This proposed body, possessing quasi-judicial powers, will be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, excluding any political figures.

Currently, MPs found guilty of corruption face limited penalties, such as a short ban from parliamentary sessions.

The new legislation will also mandate transparency in MPs’ financial expenditures.

The President has formed a committee, led by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, to offer insights on this new authority’s establishment.

Its roles will span overseeing MP remuneration, implementing the MP code of conduct, and conducting disciplinary proceedings.

The overarching aim is to foster integrity, transparency, and professionalism amongst MPs.