The reservoirs used for electricity generation are completely full due to the recent heavy rains and the hydroelectric power plants, therefore, can operate at maximum capacity, claimed Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake.

In the backdrop, there will be no need of resorting to further power cuts, the PUCSL Chief claimed, revealing that despite the one hour power cut currently in operation, there had not been any requirement to do so since September 03.

Ratnayake expressed confidence that the coal stocks used for thermal power plans will be sufficient to meet the electricity demand for the rest of the year.

However, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara made a contradictory statement in Parliament today (08) claiming that the coal stocks owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) suffice only till September 15. Resorting to a daily power cut of 08 hours from October 15 would be inevitable, had it been not possible to procure the necessary coal stocks for the coming period of the year, Wijesekara said contradicting the PUCSL Chief’s comments.

The country could be driven into a massive power crisis, in any event are the coal power plants not able operate further, mainly because these power plants meet a large percentage of the country’s total power demand.

MIAP

Despite Sri Lanka trying hard to obtain the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to recover from the huge economic crisis befallen the island nation via several rounds of discussions on and off the land, the efforts so far have not been successful, sources said.

The IMF is of the view that Sri Lanka must resort to debt restructuring for the debts it obtained from foreign states and fiscal bodies, should a relief be provided. In contrast to this condition, a number of parties, including China, which is Sri Lanka’s primary creditor, have not agreed to restructure the debts.

A REUTERS report claimed that many countries, including Sri Lanka, have obtained debts and are requesting debt reliefs from China, due to which the debt restructuring policy is being reconsidered.

Known for its reputation of not disclosing debt conditions and how it enters into agreements with states which are unable to settle debts, China is the world’s largest bilateral creditor, who, according to the REUTERS report, now finds the backdrop challenging.

From 2000 to 2017, China has lent US $ 843 billion to 165 countries in the world, and the interest free loan percentage of these debts was less than five per cent.

China has cut the interest-free loans it had given to 17 countries in the African region on 23 occasions, the report added.

MIAP

Legalisation of cannabis for exportation may hopefully be implemented in a move to emit dollars in large amounts next year, said new State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage, speaking to reporters upon being sworn in her new position in the government.

The new State Minister emphasised that the importation of essential commodities and the slashing of prices of goods are not possible without a forex inflow, and a project, therefore, must be implemented to emit dollars.

She revealed that she has proposals in this regard, adding that her previous suggestion of legalising cannabis for export purposes is one of them. Such a process would resort to the emission of dollars into the country in large amounts next year, she told the reporters.

Gamage also added that with her new position as the State Minister of Tourism, the implementation of such a project will definitely be possible.

MIAP

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (08) filed indictments at the Colombo High Court against three defendants including former Minister Johnston Fernando.

Alongside Fernando are former SATHOSA Chairman Eraj Fernando and its former active Director Mohammed Zakhir, who together are accused of incurring losses to the Sri Lankan government by dismissing a group of SATHOSA employees from their duties for political affairs during Fernando’s tenure as the Trade Minister in the 2012 Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

The defendants have been indicted for corruption under the Bribery Act.

The High Court ordered the release of the suspects including the former Minister on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000 and two sureties of Rs. 05 million each.

The hearing was adjourned till October 21.

MIAP

Veteran actress Damitha Abeyratne who was arrested yesterday (07) has been remanded till September 14 upon being produced before the Fort Magistrate Court today (09). The order was produced by Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

Abeyratne, who was a prominent voice of the people’s struggle against the current regime, was arrested on the allegation of forcibly entering the Presidential Secretariat.

The Police told the Court that the investigations recognised that she had breached the Presidential Secretariat during the July 09 uprising.

MIAP

The shortage of medicines and surgical equipment and nutritional deficiencies in the food provided in government hospitals triggered by the rising food prices have contributed to a severe crisis in the Health System of Sri Lanka, disclosed Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, speaking to a briefing held in Colombo today (08).

Reminding that a list of 443 medicines had been distributed to suppliers in areas where ‘OSUSAL’ Pharmacies could not be established through the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) before 2021 when he was the Health Minister, Dr. Senaratne pointed out that as of August the list was slashed to 93 medicines and that among them are seven types of hand sanitisers and three types of shoes used for diabetes.

In the backdrop, these suppliers are now dropping themselves out from the SPC, making a severe blow in the head against the government’s health sector, he warned.

Meanwhile, reports claimed that the hospital administration of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital is seeking help from donors given that there is a lack of protein in the meals provided to children receiving residential treatment. Due to the increase in the price goods, the food suppliers have cut off the provision of meals as required.

The SJB MP urged the donors to come forward and provide proper nutritional meals to these children.

MIAP

Two petitions filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha for contempt of court will be taken up for consideration on September 13, ordered the Appeal Court today (08).

Accordingly, the respondents including Nishantha have been issued notices to appear in the Appeal Court on the designated date.

MIAP

Veteran Actress Damitha Abeyratne was arrested by the Fort Police earlier yesterday (07) and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa visited the station to check on her.

Abeyratne was a lead voice in the people’s struggle ‘Aragalaya’ against the current regime and is currently in police custody.

Speaking to reporters, Premadasa noted that the government which is asking for the support of the Opposition in what he described as a ‘showoff’ is hunting the citizens of the country.

Vehemently condemning the situation, the Opposition Leader emphasised that the government should be providing solutions to the problems of the people instead of hunting them.

The government despises the youth, university students and artists, the Opposition Leader alleged, adding that it is the government’s tendency to arrest them on the spot and that this state-sponsored barbarism and violence will be fought against.

Ms. Abeyratne was called to come to the Police on Friday (09) but she was immediately arrested yesterday when she joined a protest at the Diyatha Uyana premises, he revealed.

MIAP

Chinthaka Karunaratne has been appointed as the new Director General of Government Information, following the resignation of Mohan Samaranayake.

Mr. Karunaratne is set to assume Office tomorrow (09).

MIAP

The swearing in of new state ministers of the Ranil Wickremesinghe led government has commenced.

37 state ministers are to be sworn in today (08).

1. Jagath Pushpakumara – State Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion
2. Ranjith Siyambalapitiay – State Minister of Finance
3. Lasantha Alagiyawanna – State Minister of Transport
4. Dilum Amunugama – State Minister of Investment Promotion
5. Kanaka Herath – State Minister of Technology
6. Janaka Wakkumbura – State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governments
7. Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva – State Minister of Agriculture
8. Thenuka Vidanagamage – State Minister of Urban Development and Housing
9. Rohana Dissanayake – State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs
10. Lohan Ratwatte – State Minister of Plantation Industries
11. Tharaka Balasuriya – State Minister of Foreign Affairs
12. Indika Anuruddha – State Minister of Power and Energy
13. Sanath Nishantha – State Minister Water Supply
14. Siripala Gamlath – State Minister of Highways
15. Shantha Bandara – State Minister of Mass Media
16. Anuradha Jayaratne – State Minister of Justice and Prisons
17. Sisira Jayakody – State Minister of Indigenous Medicine
18. Piyal Nishantha – State Minister of Fisheries
19. Prasanna Ranaweera – State Minister of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises
20. D.V. Chanaka – State Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources
21. D.B. Herath – State Minister of ඩී. බී. හේරත් – පශූ සම්පත් රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය
22. Shasheendra Rajapaksa – State Minister of Irrigation
23. Kadar Mastan – Rural Development
24. Ashoka Priyantha – Home Affairs
25. Aravind Kumar – Education
26. Geetha Kumarasinghe – Women and Child Affairs
27. Suren Raghavan – Higher Education
28. Anupa Paskuwel – State Minister of Social Empowerment
29. Shehan Semasinghe – Finance
30. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon – Defence
31. Arundika Fernando – Rural Development and Housing
32. Vijitha Berugoda – Piriven Education
33. Sathasivam Viyalendran – Trade
34. Seetha Arambepola – Health
35. Siventhurai Chandrakanth – Rural Road Development
36. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake – Primary Industries
37. Diana Gamage – Tourism

MIAP