The Ministry of Transport has decided to open two fuel stations from June 15 for private buses to obtain fuel.

Speaking to the briefing held in the Department of Government Information today (13), Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that these two fuel stations will be opened in Bastian Road, Colombo and Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.

The move is being made to minimise the current fuel crisis in the country, the Minister went on, adding that the Ministry of Transport is putting efforts to continue the essential services in the country by supplying the existing fuel stocks among the people.

Alternate options are also being channelled to solve the crisis, he added.

MIAP

Nalinda Ilangakoon has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Ilangakoon previously served as the Vice Chairman of the CEB.

MIAP

Specialist Dr. Darshana Sirisena has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Dr. Haritha Aluthge serves as the new Secretary.

Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya who served as the Union Chairman for twelve years did not appear for the election for office bearers.

During the last few years of the Union under Padeniya’s navigation the GMOA had almost acted like a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led trade union, submitting itself to the displeasure of the people. Padeniya was one of the horsemen that convinced the President to impose a chemical fertiliser ban, driving the country directly into the wrath of the food apocalypse.

MIAP

M.C. Ferdinando has reportedly resigned from his post as the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Speaking recently to the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) Ferdinando had alleged that the proposed Wind Power Plant project was being handed over to the Indian company ADANI without calling in for procurement due to the pressure exerted on him by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa based on what he described as an influence by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ex-CEB Chairman had later withdrawn his comment, apologising for his actions.

MIAP

Asanka Priyanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Jathika Rupavahini) and Ganaka Amarasinghe has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Independent Television Network (ITN).

Meanwhile, Hudson Samarasinghe has been reappointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

Below are the board of directors responding to each state-run media agencies.

MIAP

Muditha Peiris has been appointed as the new Chairman of the LITRO Gas Company.

Accordingly, Peiris is set to assume duties as the state-run gas company’s new chairman on Wednesday (15).

MIAP

The entire workers’ pool at the LITRO Gas Company wishes the return of Muditha Peiris as its Chairman, said Programmes and Advertising Manager Piyal Colombahettige, speaking to a briefing yesterday (12).

“By now we have learned that the Prime Minister and Mr. Sagala Ratnayake have proposed a name Muditha Peiris is the leader who handed over the company to those [former] chairmen with a savings of Rs. 20 billion in 2019. Mr. Muditha Peiris who, as far as I know, was the person who managed the company well by generating revenue to the government and serving the people of the country. During his tenure, the shipping and insurance charges were only US $136 per tonne. He slashed it to US $48. He sold gas for Rs. 1396. Arguments can be made based on exchange rates, but in those days gas was sold for Rs. 1396. Not only that, he handed over Rs. 50 billion to the Treasury and saved Rs. 21 billion.

So, we felt freshened up as Mr. Muditha Peiris’s name was nominated. As per my knowledge, the entire workers’ pool of LITRO is expecting his arrival. Because in the end, Peiris was the only person who took dividends from the four former chairmen and saved money for the country. Not only that, remember, during Mr. Muditha Peiris’s tenure, we, the LITRO Gas Company, were able to aid 1000 schools in Sri Lanka. He built 1000 labs, aided 150 monastery schools.

He was able to supply a gas cooker with accessories for free per every purchase of cylinder for two hundred and fifty thousand people who could not initially afford gas consumption in Sri Lanka. He increased the gas market in Sri Lanka up to two million. He had a good vision about eradicating respiratory difficulties. He felt the need of improving the quality of life of people by visiting every village. Therefore, we urge the Prime Minister and the other authorities to bring him back. It is not too late. We are ready to welcome him.”

MIAP