In a significant move, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to terminate the agreement between the Board of Investment (BoI) and Hambantota Oil Refinery (Pvt) Limited pertaining to the construction of a petroleum refinery. This decision was conveyed by Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.

The agreement in question was forged between the BoI and Hambantota Oil Refinery (Pvt) Limited for the establishment of a petroleum refinery with a substantial capacity of 420,000 barrels per day in Hambantota. This ambitious venture was solely intended for the export market.

A sizable land area of approximately 1,200 acres was designated for the project, granted under a long-term lease spanning 50 years. However, despite these commitments, the actual implementation of the project has failed to materialize, as the project proponent did not proceed with acquiring the leased land and no tangible progress has been observed.

Minister Gunawardhana emphasized, “Numerous written communications were dispatched to the project proponent, urging them to initiate the project in accordance with the established agreement. Unfortunately, no response or actions were forthcoming from the proponent, resulting in a breach of the mutually agreed provisions.”

Taking these circumstances into account, the Cabinet of Ministers endorsed a proposal put forth by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also serves as the Investment Promotion Minister. This proposal seeks to annul the agreement that had been established between the two parties.

This decision underscores the government’s commitment to responsible and effective governance, ensuring that agreements entered into are upheld and that projects of national importance are executed with dedication and integrity.

Minister of Power and Energy Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera says that Sinopec will start operating under its own brand from September 20.

“SINOPEC has informed that as of this morning, contracts with 109 of their 150 separators have been completed. By the end of this afternoon, I think it will be around 115. They hope to finish all 150 by next week.

They have informed us now that September 20 is the date they have decided to start business under their brand with all distributors.”

Also, the minister further mentioned that the company has been allowed to sell fuel at a lower price than the maximum price of fuel currently sold in the market.

Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said this while addressing a press conference held yesterday (15).

A significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against narcotics emerged as law enforcement arrested an individual in the Wanawasala area within the Peliyagoda police division. The suspect was found in possession of a substantial quantity of ‘ice’ drugs, commonly known as crystal methamphetamine.

The operation, skillfully executed by the Western Province (North) Crimes Division, transpired on the evening of August 15th. A meticulously planned raid resulted in the confiscation of illicit substances.

During the operation, a 23-year-old resident hailing from Dippitigoda in Kelaniya was taken into custody. The suspect was intercepted while transporting a staggering 1 kilogram and 6 grams of crystal methamphetamine on a motorcycle.

This apprehension marks a significant stride in combating the drug trade, protecting communities from the pernicious influence of narcotics. The arrested individual is slated to face legal proceedings at the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court later today. Meanwhile, the Western Province (North) Crimes Division continues to delve deeper into the case, striving to uncover further insights into the illicit activities.

1. SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne asks Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to disclose the identities of his (the Speaker’s) legal advisors from whom the latter had sought legal advice before ruling that the Parliament-approved Domestic Debt Optimisation motion was not open to a legal challenge.
2. Finance Ministry relaxes restrictions on importing motor vehicles for public transport including buses, lorries, tankers/bowsers and trucks: State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya asserts that the same items imported during the restricted period & lying uncleared in ports will also be released, subject to a surcharge of 30%.
3. Sri Lanka Ports Development Authority to raise tariffs in accordance with the Govt’s revenue enhancement plans: approval granted to revise the tariff structure of navigation, stevedoring, harbour tonnage, container operations, conventional cargo operations, etc:
4. President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces plans to transform Mannar into an energy hub: also says an inter-city express train service between Thalaimannar and Colombo will commence on 15 September to enhance connectivity between the two cities.
5. An IMF team is scheduled to visit Colombo from September 14 to 27 to conduct its 1st review of the Extended Fund Facility arrangement for Sri Lanka.
6. Assn of Medical Specialists media spokesman Ashoka Gunaratne says SL may have to bring down specialist doctors from overseas in the next couple of years or reduce the size of the cadre in given hospitals, if specialist doctors continue to leave the country.
7. NPP’s Dr Nalinda Jayatissa says the airtime of state-owned Channel Eye had been sold secretly to VIS Broadcasting (Pvt) Ltd for Rs.250 mn per month, effective for 6 months from June 30: alleges that the Minister of Mass Media had submitted a Cabinet Paper after the Rupavahini employees and people who were aware of the deal objected to it.
8. Cabinet approves the termination of what was once described as the largest-ever FDI agreement between the BOI and Hambantota Oil Refinery after years of protracted inaction by the investor to fulfil the stipulations of the agreement.
9. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says the Chinese oil company Sinopec which is expected to start operations in Sri Lanka on Sep 20, will be allowed to sell fuel at less than the maximum retail price set by the Govt.
10. Top Cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga, 26, informs Sri Lanka Cricket that he is retiring from international Test cricket: the highly talented Hasaranga has not been a regular member of the Test squad over the last 2 years, and has played only 4 Tests.

As the academic year unfolds, the inaugural segment of the second school term for 2023 in Government schools and Government approved private schools is poised to draw to a close on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Following this, the anticipation builds for the imminent commencement of the second phase of the same term, slated to kick off on Monday, August 28. As students, educators, and parents navigate this transition, the educational journey continues, brimming with opportunities for growth and learning.

Except for a few showers in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere over the Island.

Fairly strong winds about (40-45) kmph can be expected at times in Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces, and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended retired Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) special grade officer Jayantha Wijerathne to be appointed as the new Chairman of the Welfare Benefits Board of Sri Lanka.

The recommendation has been made to the Constitutional Council later today (15), after it was announced that B. Wijayaratne resigned from his position as the WBB Chairman.

Colombo (LNW): The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US $547,443 (approx. Rs. 170 million) to Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project aka SHARP for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka, international humanitarian information portal Relief Web reported.

Ambassador MIZUKOSHI expressed Japan’s commitment to supporting continuously for the conflict-hit area to achieve reconciliation and promote sustainable development in Sri Lanka.

Since the beginning of Sri Lanka Mine Action programme, the Japanese Government has been a continuous aide to Sri Lanka in supporting mine clearance activities. The total amount of assistance exceeds US$ 43 million to date. Development of the conflict-affected regions is one of the priority areas in Japan’s official development assistance policy to Sri Lanka.

This Financial Year’s project is expected to enable resettlement of over 400 internally displaced people and enhance their livelihoods of over 2,300 individuals directly or indirectly by clearing contaminated lands in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu districts.

Commenting on the provision of this grant, Major Gen. (retd) Mr. Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya stated;

“SHARP is most grateful to and deeply appreciative of the Japanese Embassy for the trust and confidence placed in SHARP by being the sole donor to SHARP continuously for 6 years, from its inception to initially commencing the demining operations in 2016, and thereafter until 2021. As of July 2023, in support of grant assistance from the Government of Japan, SHARP has cleared a total of 2,414,199 Sq Mtrs and recovered 11,471 anti-personnel mines, 168 anti-tank mines, 4,166 UXOs and over 19,647 SAA with over 2,596 families or 10,300 individuals directly and indirectly benefitted. This accounts for over 90% of the total cleared lands by SHARP.

SHARP will continue to carry out our operations to the best of our ability diligently, efficiently and effectively fully co-operating with the Japanese Embassy and all other agencies to completely justify the funds provided and fulfil the desires of our sponsors. The heartfelt gratitude and thanks of all members of SHARP is conveyed to His Excellency Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, all GGP staff members of the Japanese Embassy and most of all the people of Japan, for their unstinted support by sponsoring SHARP, and more so ever for the Embassy of Japan being in the forefront of supporting demining activities in Sri Lanka and their continuous commitment, cooperation and assistance for the well-being of the people of our country.”

Source: Relief Web