By: Isuru Parakrama

October 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka, together with 39 other nations, has vehemently condemned recent Israeli attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), calling for a thorough investigation into the incidents.

Amongst those injured in the escalating violence are two Sri Lankan peacekeepers, prompting an outcry from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The attacks occurred in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah militants.

At least five UNIFIL peacekeepers, including the two Sri Lankans, have been wounded as a result of the conflict.

In response, the Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a stern statement on Friday, expressing deep concern for the safety of its peacekeepers and the inviolability of UN premises.

“Sri Lanka strongly condemns the attack on UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon, which injured two Sri Lankan peacekeepers. We are in contact with UNIFIL to ensure they receive immediate medical attention and wish them a swift recovery,” the statement read.

The ministry reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to upholding the safety and security of UN personnel worldwide and underscored the nation’s pride in its peacekeepers’ brave contributions to global peace missions.

The joint statement issued on Saturday by 40 countries, including Sri Lanka, echoed the call for immediate cessation of attacks on peacekeeping forces. The statement demanded an investigation into the incidents, stressing the vital role UNIFIL plays in mediating and supporting peace during the ongoing conflict.

“Such actions must stop immediately and should be thoroughly investigated,” it stated.

The countries also urged all parties involved in the conflict to guarantee the security of UN personnel so they can continue their essential work.

Several nations, including Spain, France, and Italy, have already condemned the attacks as “unjustifiable,” whilst U.S. President Joe Biden called for Israel to cease targeting UN peacekeepers, adding global pressure to the situation.

UNIFIL has reported multiple attacks on its facilities, including shots deliberately fired at its headquarters in Naqoura.

As tensions rise in the region, Sri Lanka and the international community remain firm in their demand for the protection of peacekeeping forces and the continuation of their mission in Lebanon.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 14, Colombo (LNW): A final decision regarding this year’s Grade 05 Scholarship Examination, following allegations of a question paper leak, is expected to be announced today (14).

The Commissioner General of Examinations is scheduled to hold a special press conference to address the matter.

Reports suggest that despite the allegations, authorities have opted not to reconduct the examination. This decision comes after investigations revealed that only three questions were leaked, rather than the entire paper as initially feared.

The evaluation of answer sheets, which had been temporarily halted amid the controversy, is set to resume immediately following the announcement.

Several committees were appointed to investigate the matter, and they concluded that the leak was limited to just a few questions.

In addition to the internal investigation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) launched its own probe into the alleged leak.

The matter has sparked widespread concern among parents, some of whom held press conferences and staged protests, claiming the entire exam had been compromised.

The issue gained further attention when the concerned parents raised their grievances with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, resulting in the temporary suspension of answer sheet evaluations.

The upcoming announcement is expected to bring much-needed clarity on how the examination process will move forward amidst these concerns.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported that a staggering 134,484 individuals from 34,492 families across 12 districts in Sri Lanka have been severely impacted by the ongoing adverse weather conditions.

The heavy rains and flooding have so far claimed three lives, with rescue and relief operations continuing in affected areas.

According to the DMC, 6,963 people from 1,753 families have been forced to seek refuge in 81 established relief centres as the extreme weather continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods across the country.

In response to the crisis, local authorities and humanitarian organisations have ramped up their efforts, ensuring that those displaced are provided with essential supplies, medical aid, and shelter.

The DMC remains vigilant, with teams actively monitoring high-risk areas for further flooding or landslides, and issuing timely alerts to ensure public safety.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 14, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, with heavy showers above 100mm being likely to occur at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (14).

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the National People’s Power (NPP) government has introduced the concept of political “retirement,” as many former MPs have opted out of this election campaign: terms this a transformative shift in Sri Lankan politics: also dismisses opposition criticisms, stating that fears of instability have been disproven within just 21 days of NPP governance.
   
2. Former MP Hirunika Premachandra resigns as National Organiser of the Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya, the women’s wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), citing frustration over accusations that organisers did not perform their duties during the presidential election campaign: Despite stepping down, she remains committed to the party and plans to contest in the 2024 General Election, confident in her political future: In a subsequent retrogression, former MP Karunaratne Paranavithana, an SJB candidate for the Ratnapura District, withdraws from the general election campaign and urges the public not to vote for him in the upcoming election.
   
3. Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella announces his temporary withdrawal from politics due to “recent events,” but remains committed to assisting the public: expresses confidence in being vindicated by the courts and hopes to return to politics once cleared: plans to focus on business while awaiting the legal resolution: He previously served in various ministerial roles and was released on bail in September 2024.
   
4. An extraordinary gazette, signed by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, amends the “Rules on Procurement Affairs Relevant to the Provincial Council Fund”: The amendment changes the spending limit for department heads, previously set at Rs. 50 million, as outlined in Section 7 of the 2020 Extraordinary Gazette No. 2186/25.
   
5. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption now requires retired MPs to declare their assets and liabilities within two years, as mandated by the new Anti-Corruption Act: An initial report is to be submitted to Parliament within two weeks: Many former MPs, opting not to contest the upcoming general election, must comply with this requirement.
   
6. Cinnamon Air announces new daily flights between Kandy, Sigiriya, and the South Coast destinations Koggala and Hambantota, starting from November 1, 2024, until April 30, 2025: These flights, catering to foreign travellers during the winter season, aim to reduce travel time while offering a unique amphibian aircraft experience on the Kandy-South Coast route.
   
7. Education authorities announce the closure of all government schools in the Gampaha, Kelaniya, Kolonnawa, and Kaduwela educational zones on Monday (14) and Tuesday (15) due to adverse weather conditions: Schools in the Colombo educational zone will also remain closed on Monday, with earlier announcements extending closures to schools in Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, and Wattala zones.
   
8. Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala reveals Sri Lanka recorded over 33,000 new cancer cases and 19,000 deaths last year, with oral cancer leading among men and breast cancer among women: stresses lifestyle changes could prevent most cancers, whilst warning that global cancer rates may rise by 77% by 2050.
   
9. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) mobilises aircraft and personnel in response to adverse weather conditions: Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa instructs readiness for relief operations, with surveillance aircraft on standby: Additionally, a Bell-412 helicopter is stationed at Ratmalana, while two Bell-212 helicopters are ready at Hingurakgoda and Palali bases, alongside specially trained Special Forces for rescue support.
   
10. Mahela Jayawardene has been re-appointed as head coach of the Mumbai Indians, after serving as the franchise’s global head of cricket for two years: Previously, he led the team to three IPL titles between 2017 and 2022: Mumbai Indians finished poorly under Mark Boucher, who is thanked for his contributions as coach over the past two seasons.

By: Staff Writer

October 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is facing scrutiny as it undergoes a significant restructuring process under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.36 of 2024. Central to this restructuring is the controversial decision to transfer a large portion of CEB’s debt to its hydropower unit, a move that has raised concerns among experts, politicians, and the public.

Despite reporting a net profit of 93 billion rupees by June 2024, the CEB used these gains primarily to settle its outstanding debts to renewable energy developers, thermal power plants, and coal suppliers. This financial maneuver allowed the utility to lower electricity tariffs, even as its revenue declined. Impressively, the CEB saw a 67 percent profit rise to 34.5 billion rupees in the quarter ending June 2024, mainly due to reduced financial expenses.

However, Fitch Ratings has cautioned that deviating from the current cost-reflective tariff model could weaken CEB’s financial stability and threaten the broader power generation sector in Sri Lanka. It warned that should tariff reductions continue, the CEB might have to slash capital expenditures to meet its debt obligations.

The restructuring plan includes shifting a substantial portion of CEB’s debt to the company responsible for hydropower. This decision is part of the new electricity reforms aimed at keeping hydropower under government control, without opening it to private investments. Critics argue that this move could undermine the financial health of the hydropower sector, which has been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s energy stability.

The Power and Energy Ministry, in collaboration with the Treasury, has directed CEB to develop a plan to manage its existing debt. Yet, the precise details of how the debt will be allocated remain unclear. The restructuring strategy is supported by Section 18(3)(b) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.36 of 2024, which stipulates that the financial liabilities of CEB will be distributed among its successor companies, with the hydropower unit bearing a significant portion of these obligations.

The act outlines the formation of several new entities, including a Treasury-owned company for hydropower, another for coal plants, and separate units for thermal and wind power, all operating under the Companies Act No.7 of 2007. This structure is designed to maintain government oversight through significant Treasury ownership.

While the CEB has reported a turnaround in its financial performance with a profit of 61.2 billion rupees for the fiscal year ending December 2023, following a loss of 298 billion rupees in the previous year, its rising fuel and thermal generation costs continue to pose challenges. Critics argue that the debt allocation to the hydropower unit jeopardizes one of the country’s most sustainable and cost-effective energy sources.

Amid the ongoing restructuring debate, concerns have also been raised about the lack of transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process. Questions are mounting over whether short-term financial relief is being prioritized over the long-term stability of Sri Lanka’s energy sector.

This restructuring plan has led to fears that once the sector opens to private investment, electricity tariffs will inevitably rise, as investors prioritize profitability over national energy responsibilities. Critics argue that if the restructuring goes ahead as proposed, it could place a disproportionate financial burden on the public and jeopardize the country’s long-term energy affordability and stability.