All employees of the Ceylon Electricity (CEB) are preparing to step down from their duties from 12 am midnight today in objection to the proposed Electricity Amendment Act and taken trade union action.

Should the government fail to take over the system by 12 am midnight, all electrical workers will leave the service without damaging the machinery of the system, the trade union members said, revealing that the power supply, accordingly, could be cut off at around 8 am tomorrow (09).

Calling in a briefing by all trade unions responding to the CEB today (08), Chairman of the Electrical Engineers’ Association Anil Ranjith divulged that the proposed amended bill deprives the opportunity to purchase power for a competitive price by paving the way for the government to allow any party they favour purchase power for any desired price.

This at all aspects would be a severe injustice to the public, he noted.

Meanwhile, the proposed 500 MW wind power project in Mannar, Poonaryn and other areas is to be handed over to the Indian Power Giant ADANI at a cost of US $ 7.55 cents, raising suspicions given that the production cost of the 100 MV Thambapavani power plant built by the CEB is less than $ 4 cents, Ranjith noted, suggesting that the production cost could have been slashed instead of handing the project over to ADANI at a higher price.

The Union chief also begged the question why the previous price declared by ADANI, US $ 6.50 cents, suddenly changed to US $ 7.55 cents.

Due to the government’s actions of directly handing over the wind power plant project to ADANI, the local investors, who bid lower prices, have been deprived of the opportunity to come forward, Ranjith noted, proposing that an attempt is being made to earn unlawful profits together with the Indian company.

MIAP

Nandalal Weerasinghe is making a huge effort to get his 6 year contract cemented. Which he is likely to get given that the President who understands no economics has been convinced by him that he is doing a great job. The President as usual is so naive that he will be taken for another good ride. This time by Nandalal Weerasinghe. The few things Nandalal has done shows the current crisis is way beyond his imagination. He began by saying the opposition was supporting him. He politicized the CBSL from the word go. Then he swallowed the opposition ropes and increased the interest rates by 100%.

He has virtually destroyed the livelihoods of the Small Businesses. In Sri LANKA other than tenders what other businesses can you run paying 25% interest. Very soon these businesses will add to the burden of the government without jobs and income to feed themselves and their families. Next he committed the biggest mistake, he defaulted on an small interest payment.

The first time in the history of the country. As Governor he will go down in history for doing this. No other Governor in the right mind would do this without even making an effort to mobilize funding to settle the payment. Very soon we understand a case is to be filed against him. The tourism industry is up in arms with him for being so insensitive about the moratoriums for that sector, he had advised them up shutdown or pay up. The future of the country depends on the tourism industry, over 10% of the country workforce works in that sector. His decision to close the open account with out any safeguards has resulted in a shortage of essential items.

His latest stunt mobilization of the pensioners to issue a statement in return to increase their pensions. What a joke . He then went one step further and issued a twitter message using the @CBSL twitter handle saying the CBSL has a good relationship with the Prime Minister.

What a shame? This shows his maturity and wisdom to hold the position of Governor. CBSL sources say if he is given a free hand it will be like giving a “ Wadurata Dalipeheya“. He will cut anything that comes in between him to survive . This is no longer a joke, the country has no money and resources. We cannot certainly have a cow boy as Governor of the central bank. It is peoples lives that we are talking about. Wake up Mr President before it is too late for Sri Lanka.

Adolf

13 suspects including SLPP MP Milan Jayathilaka and Mahinda Kahandagama arrested and remanded over the mob attack on peaceful protesters at MainaGoGama and GotaGoGama launched by pro-Rajapaksa protesters were granted bail, as the suspects were produced before Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today (08).

However, three more suspects including SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha were further remanded till June 15 as ordered by the Court.

MIAP

The Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Court today (08) issued a warrant to arrest former Minister Johnston Fernando

That is, based on a request made by the Attorney General’s Office to issue a warrant for the arrest of the MP for evading Court and not staying in the designated places.

Fernando had lodged a petition in the Appeal Court seeking an order barring any attempt to arrest him by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the allegation of being a suspect to the May 09 assault on MainaGoGama in front of Temple Trees and GotaGoGama in Galleface, claiming that such an arrest would be unlawful.

MIAP

The official foreign reserves of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has indicated a rise after five months, reports said.

Accordingly, the foreign reserves belonging to Sri Lanka marks US $1920 million in May.

In April, the figure was US $1812.

MIAP