June 12, Colombo (LNW): A vehicle parade of locally manufactured and assembled vehicles organised by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) along with the Ministry of Industries (MOI), Sri Lanka Automobile Component Manufacturers Association (SLACMA) and Automobile Assemblers Association will be held on 18 June.

The third parade of its kind will tour through Galle Face, Lotus Roundabout, Fort, Technical Junction, Punchikawatta, Maradana, Borella, Borella cemetery junction and to BMICH from 4 p.m. onwards.

The IDB under the Ministry of Industries is a key stakeholder in the Standard Operating Procedure which facilitates automobile assembly and component manufacturing in the country. The roadshow will see a fleet of over 200 locally assembled vehicles parade the streets.

IDB Chairman Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma said: “The IDB which is the statutory body responsible for the development of all industries in Sri Lanka, has a mission to provide the strategic, technological and commercial foundation needed to encourage, promote and develop all industries in the country.

 Hyundai, Proton, Chery, BAIC, DFSK, Wuling, Mahindra, TATA, JMC, Lanka Ashok Leyland, TVS and Bajaj are few of the brands that are assembled in Sri Lanka with the approval and certification of the Industrial Development Board.”

The services of the IDB are of great benefit to the automobile and auto component manufacturing and automobile assembly industry in the country.

 It is the authority responsible for overseeing the auto component development, design, testing and certification for industries, automotive component costing and process/product optimisation services, raw material testing and selection for automotive components, plant, machinery, equipment, tool appraisal and valuation and incubator facilities for automotive component developers.

 It is also the national tooling centre for automotive component development and provides services such as foundry and metallurgy services for automotive component developers, technical inspection services, rubber compound development for automotive components and electro-plating services for automotive components through a network of district offices covering the entire island.

The IDB also provides industrialists with industry information services, incubator facilities, and even an electricity subsidy.

“The facilities provided by the IDB will help create a very favourable environment for the automobile manufacturing and assembly industry and the automotive component manufacturing industry to match world standards. 

The Sri Lanka Automobile Component Manufacturers Association (SLACMA) and Automobile Assemblers Association both are committed to help organise the vehicle parade annually, to whom I thank for their efforts,” Alahapperuma added. 

June 12, Colombo (LNW):Indian billionaire business Magnet Gautam Adani’s Mannar Wind Power Project has faced a legal tussle in Sri Lanka Supreme Court.  

Three eminent environmentalistsRohan Pethiyagoda, Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke, and Prof. Sarath Kotagama together with the Bishop of Mannar Rev. Fr. Bastian filed a fundamental rights petition (SCFR/167/2024) in the Supreme Court.

The case has been filed in the public interest, against the procurement and construction of the proposed 250 MW Mannar Wind Power Project in Mannar that is reported to have been awarded to Adani Green Energy PTE Ltd and/or Adani Green Energy S L Limited.

The case names 67 Respondents including the Cabinet of Ministers, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), the Central Environmental Authority, the Board of Investments, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka and the Hon. Attorney General among others.

The petition raises concerns regarding the credibility of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out in respect of the project, the role played by the SLSEA, raises certain procedural issues in the awarding of the purported contract, and questions the characterisation of the project as a Government-to-Government deal.

It also calls into question the basis for the negotiated tariff to be fixed at USD 8.26 cents per kilowatt-hour for a period of 20 years when the EIA conducts its assessment based on a cost of USD 4.6 cents, potentially causing considerable financial loss to the country and a burden on consumers.

In seeking their relief, the petitioners pray that the Supreme Court declare that there is a violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioners and citizenry at large, declare that the decisions made to award the project to Adani as wrongful, and calls for any consequential actions undertaken, to be declared illegal.

The petition states that the case has been filed to further the national interest, to preserve and protect public property, including the environment, flora and fauna, public finances and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the general public of Sri Lanka and its future generations.

Adani Group plans to invest over USD 1 billion in setting up projects in Sri Lanka to generate electricity from wind in what would be the island nation’s single largest foreign direct investment and the biggest ever power project, sources said. Group firm Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) will set up two wind farms in Sri Lanka’s Mannar town and Pooneryn village in the northern provide with a total installed capacity of 484 megawatt at an investment of about USD 740 million

June 12, Colombo (LNW): The Government is now compelled to regulate online casinos consequent to its previous decision to regularise Sri Lanka’s casino industry to ease difficulties faced, in collecting taxes, by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

The Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010 and the Betting and Gaming Tax Act No. 40 of 1988 provide for the regulation of the casino industry, and under Act No. 17 of 2010, licenses are required to operate casino businesses in Sri Lanka.

The Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance Minister, regarding the regularisation of the casino industry in Sri Lanka, official sources said.

During the recent meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), it was disclosed that even though it is clearly stated by law that online casino operations cannot be carried out in the country, online casinos operate in the open depriving the state of the revenue due without any implications. 

The Chair of the committee Dr. Harsha de Silva directed that a letter be sent to the Minister of Finance requesting for his immediate attention regarding the matter.

This was taken into discussion at the Committee on Public Finance which met under the Chairmanship of Dr. de Silva recently (06), according to the Communication Department of Parliament.

The importance of establishing a Casino Regulator was also highlighted at the Committee on Public Finance, the statement said. 

Officials representing the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank were also of the view that many issues pertaining to casinos can be resolved following the establishment of a Casino Regulator.

The Chair instructed the officials present to take immediate measures and not to delay further the necessary laws to establish a regulatory authority which is very important to attract foreign investors and to collect the revenue due to the government from the casino business. 

Following the aforesaid discussions, the Committee took into consideration the Regulations under Section 4 read with section 3 of the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010 and an Order under Section 4 read with section 3 of the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010. The Regulation and Order was then approved by the Committee following careful consideration. 

The Committee on Public Finance also took into consideration the Notification under Section 27 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002 and was approved by the Committee.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced that approval for the new electricity tariff revision proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is expected to be finalized by mid-July. PUCSL Chairman, Prof. Manjula Fernando, stated that public consultations on the tariff revision proposal will be held before making a final decision.

Prof. Fernando mentioned that the PUCSL’s conclusion regarding the tariff revision will be communicated to the CEB by the second week of July. This timeline follows a recent statement by the Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, who informed Parliament that electricity tariffs are expected to be reduced starting from July 1.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): Members of the teachers’ and principals’ unions, represented by the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), will hold island-wide protests on Wednesday, June 12, demanding the resolution of salary discrepancies.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin stated that despite numerous requests to the Ministry of Education, no favorable solution has been implemented. A ministerial committee has presented recommendations to address the salary discrepancies, but Stalin claims the government is delaying their implementation until next year.

The protests will commence at 2 PM on Wednesday and will take place around all zonal education offices. Additionally, the protests will also be held at GCE Ordinary Level examination paper marking centers on the same day.

Stalin highlighted that members from nearly 30 teacher-principal unions will be participating in the protest to press the government for immediate action.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): Oman, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Sri Lanka, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The MoU was signed by Ahmed Ali al Rashdi, the Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka, and Mahinda Amaraweera, the Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties and promote collaboration in various agricultural sectors, fostering mutual growth and development.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a specialist committee to address salary discrepancies in the government service, the President’s Media Division said. With careful consideration of the prevailing salary anomalies among various employee groups within the public service, measures will be taken in the 2025 budget to review and potentially revise salaries, wages, and other provisions across all sectors. This task has been delegated to the Expert Committee.
2. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued a stark warning, stating that any postponement of elections would spell the end of the United National Party (UNP). Rajapaksa expressed his disbelief that the elections would be delayed, calling such an action “silly” and predicting dire consequences for the UNP.
3. Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha, announced that the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations will be expedited to facilitate faster university enrollment for students. The goal is to enable students to complete their schooling by the age of 18 and seamlessly transition into higher education.
4. Oman, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Sri Lanka, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Agriculture. It was signed by Ahmed Ali al Rashdi, Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka, and Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries.
5. The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) says it is ready to extend its support to Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa if the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is willing to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
6. The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has warned of an islandwide strike due to the failure of authorities to increase the salaries of teachers and principals as promised in Budget 2024. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin told the media today that a strike action will be launched on June 26 if the authorities fail to address their issues.
7. During the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), it was disclosed that even though it is clearly stated by law that online casino operations cannot be carried out in the country, online casinos operate in the open depriving the state of the revenue due without any implications. The Chair of the committee Dr. Harsha de Silva directed that a letter be sent to the Minister of Finance requesting for his immediate attention regarding the matter.
8. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has warned the public of a racket involving the sale of meat of hens killed in the recent floods experienced in Sri Lanka.
9. The government of Sri Lanka presented a detailed report to the Supreme Court, outlining the measures undertaken to combat climate change. This submission responds to an order from the court, prompted by a petition filed by the Center For Environmental Justice. The petition alleged that the government had failed to implement adequate measures to address climate change, thereby violating basic human rights.
10. Former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe says Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials must take responsibility for the poor show of the national men’s cricket team in the ongoing T20 cricket world cup. Speaking to reporters, Ranasinghe said he will not and has never laid blame on the cricketers, stating that they are talented players.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): To be in line with the Government’s Objective to make Sri Lanka the Logistic hub of South Asia , Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation Launched a product Exclusively targeting the Logistic industry. When Protecting the Exporters we cannot omit the logistic partners who plays an integral pivotal role in supporting our Exporters. Considering this effort SLECIC had introduced an Export Performance Guarantee to be issued for potential Non –Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC), Feeder Operators , Air & Shipping Line Agents and Freight Forwarders in Colombo last May.

With the help of this guarantee the Industry need not to provide Collaterals to the banks for obtaining Guarantees to be given to terminal operators etc. SLECIC requires only 10% of the Total Guarantee as a refundable deposit and a guarantee fee only. With that a Logistic Company could withdraw 100% of their cash deposits kept in banks as collateral and they could in return invest this funds in other revenue streams. There by our Economy will get a Cash inflow and as a result of this investments the Economy would grow. This would allow new SMEs to enter to this logistic field and existing SMEs already in this field should benefit out of this

June 12, Colombo (LNW):LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States, has donated cancer drugs valued at over US$ 225,000 to the Sri Lankan Health Ministry. Mickey Lui, Asia Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Director at the Church, handed over the consignment to Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana during a ceremony at the Health Ministry.

This donation is part of a larger commitment by LDS Charities to supply cancer drugs worth over one million US dollars to Sri Lanka over the course of a year. The agreement for this grant was signed in February at the Health Ministry, and this consignment marks the first delivery under the grant. The initial shipment includes 13 types of essential cancer medications such as Abiraterone Acetate, Anastrozole, Capecitabine, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Dacarbazine, Docetaxel, and Irinotecan, among others.

High-ranking officials, including Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Medical Supply Division Director Dr. Dedunu Dias, and LDS Charities International Institute Representatives Eric Chen and Ada Lam, were present at the event.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): A senior official from the Urban Development and Housing Ministry announced that starting from August, solid waste collected from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts will be transported to the newly constructed landfill in Aruwakkalu, Puttalam. The official noted that previous objections to the project have been resolved through discussions with relevant parties.

Colombo Waste Management Project Director Sarath Bandara confirmed that the construction of the solid waste management facility in Wanawasala is complete, and operations will commence by August. Preliminary trials began in May, paving the way for the project’s full-scale launch.

Initiated in 2014, the project aims to address the growing urban solid waste disposal issue by utilizing abandoned limestone quarries in Aruwakkalu for safe landfill and waste treatment. The Urban Development and Housing Ministry has been responsible for constructing the necessary facilities, including sanitary landfills and waste treatment systems.

Key components of the project include two waste transfer stations at Wanawasala and Puttalam, along with the required railway infrastructure and road systems. Initially, 1,200 metric tonnes of waste from the Colombo metropolitan area were planned to be transported to the Wanawasala transfer station, where it would be compressed, containerized, and then moved by train to Aruwakkalu for disposal. The project has since expanded to handle all waste from the Western Provincial Council.

The total cost of the project is US$ 130 million. Four locomotives have been imported for waste transportation between the Kelaniya transfer station and Aruwakkalu. Until the project becomes fully operational, these engines are being used by the Railways Department for passenger transport. Additionally, 94 containers have been acquired for waste transportation, and 17 railway carriages have been refurbished for the journey from Kelaniya to Aruwakkalu.