By: Staff Writer

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract and leverage international investment into exploration and commercialisation of two blocks adding to over 5,000 square kilometres with potential oil and gas resources in the Mannar Basin have once again been gridlocked by legal challenges in the Court of Appeal.

This legal issue cropped up ata time when the authorities were preparing to issue two-year oil and gas exploration licenses for as many as 900 offshore blocks for foreign firms to scout for energy resources and bring in vital investments to the crisis-hit country, a top official said.

Starting up oil production is part of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s plan to attract foreign investment as he seeks to stabilise the economy amid the country’s worst economic crisis in seven decades.

The new regulations were finalised by the government and set a framework for companies to sign an expression of interest (EOI) for exploring offshore assets around the country, state-run Petroleum Development Authority said .

According to the latest developments in the CA (Writ) Application No: 392/2023, the court found that a prima facie case has been established by the Petitioner, Serendive Energy.

Accordingly, the court issued orders restraining the 1st to 36th Respondents and/or its servants or agents from granting to any 3rd party other than the Petitioner the rights to offshore exploration of blocks M1 and C1, until a final determination is reached in the case.

Serendive Energy, which has a strategic alliance partnership with a large Indian conglomerate, commenced pursuit of legal remedies following a recent effort in 2023 to reverse exploration block award that had previously been made to the company.

Serendive Energy first participated in an open international tender (SL 2019-02) in 2019, and was awarded the blocks, Mannar Basin M1 and Cauvery Basin C1 in May 2021.

This decision took place following evaluations conducted by the Petroleum Development Authority and headed at the time by former Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya and current Chairman Surath Ovitigama, who have long served among the nation’s leading domain experts on oil and gas.

As stated in the 2021 Ministry of Power and Energy Annual Report, “International competitive bids were called for in the year 2019 for the exploration and production of oil and gas of Mannar Block M1 and Cauvery Block C1 and the bid evaluation process had been concluded in May 2021.”

“Negotiations had been held by the Government of Sri Lanka throughout the year 2021 with Serendive Energy Ltd. for separate petroleum resources agreements in respect of M1 and C1 blocks, and about 90% of the negotiations have been concluded.

By: Staff Writer

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will be appointing a panel to draft a law to set up a petroleum regulator with powers to cover liquified petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and lubricants.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to establish a Regulator for the Energy Sector. PUCSL will remain as the Electricity sector Regulator and a new Regulator will be introduced for Petroleum, LPG, LNG, Lubricants, Oils & Energy Sectors,” Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on X.

In a statement, the government said that although the import, refining, distribution and sale of petroleum products including petrol, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and lubricating oil are carried out within the existing legal framework, the sector is not subjected to a wide range of regulation or a petroleum mechanism.

Meanwhile, as private entities are involved in the import and distribution of products, the need for an independent, dynamic, effective and efficient regulatory mechanism has been identified to find solutions to problems, address challenges in the sector and safeguard the interests of consumers, investors and other stakeholders.

Accordingly a committee was appointed to propose the draft frame work for the Energy Sector Regulator in two months on Fair Pricing Mechanisms & Pricing Formulas, Quality Assurance, Compliance Monitoring, and Safety in Unloading, Storage and Distribution.

The grame work will also cover Environmental Standards, Industry Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement, Dispute Resolution, Public Awareness & Education, Emergency Response and Risk Management.”

Several private establishments are engaged in import and distribution of petroleum products in the island.

The regulator will have wide powers to “address challenges in the sector, ensure quality of products, and protect the interests of the public and investors,” a government statement said.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will retain its role as the regulator for the electricity sector, while the forthcoming regulator will assume responsibility for governing various aspects of the petroleum and energy industries.

This separation of oversight is expected to streamline regulatory processes, foster greater accountability, and optimize sector-specific regulations.

A specialized committee has been entrusted with the task of formulating the framework for the Energy Sector Regulator within a concise timeline of two months.

This separation of oversight is expected to streamline regulatory processes, foster greater accountability, and optimize sector-specific regulations.

A specialized committee has been entrusted with the task of formulating the framework for the Energy Sector Regulator within a concise timeline of two months.

This framework is envisioned to encompass a comprehensive spectrum of regulatory considerations, ranging from fair pricing mechanisms and quality assurance to compliance monitoring and environmental standards.

As part of the 30th Anniversary Celebrations this April, Samson Rubber Products Pvt Ltd has Organized a Grand Series of Events. On April 27th, SRP will few religious events along with this Special Event to Honor its Long Standing Employees, reflecting SRP’s Deep Rooted Cultural Values and Commitment to its Workforce. The evening will conclude with a Spectacular Fireworks Display, Lighting up the Skies of Galle in Celebration of Three Decades of Success.

Since the inception in 1994, The Entrepreneur Spirit of Mr Ranatunga Rajapaksa, The Founder of Samson Rubber Products Pvt Ltd and Present Managing Director Mr Sajith Rajapaksa embodies the Sustainable Journey of SRP through investing in Cutting Edge Technoloogy, Green Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Integrated Supply Chain Solutions, R&D Innovations, World Class Management Best Practices.

SRP, Manufactures in three Locations in Sri Lanka producing Solid Tyres & Allied Products for Variety of Industries such a Material Handling, Construction, GSE & Aerial Work Platforms etc. We produce excess of 500000 Tyres for OEM & Aftermarket and have managed to secure International Patents for our Specialty Tyres. We supply Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, Mexico, USA, Sweden, France, Denmark, Canada, UK, Bulgaria, Australia & South Korea.

At SRP, we use specially engineered compounds, tyre carcus & tread constructions, which we presently supply and continuously develop together with customer feedback. You will experience lower replacement downtime and higher machine hours per dollar spent. We supply small cured on as well as large cured ons. We supply Casted Rims, Pressed & Auto Welded Rims, Split Rims.
We have served the Industrial Tyre Customer with 30 Years of Direct Experience on OEM Production & Export, in Compound Development, Carcus Construction, Tread Development, Testing & Quality Assurance.
SRP Tyres are specially engineered to deliver higher performance outputs bypassing major manufacturing defects, while delivering high performance expectations of equipment manufacturers & end users alike

Our Team Work is the hallmark of our company’s success. SRP employs a work force of over 500+ Highly Skilled Technical, Engineering, Managerial, Marketing and Administrative Staff. We believe that each employee plays a pivotal role to make the customers delight through making them satisfied. SRP employees continuously go through comprehensive Training and Development programs in their respective fields to ensure optimum level of skill management, organizational knowledge building and productivity improvement. Company Best Practices and Professional Ethics guide SRP operations locally and in Overseas Markets. When dealing with our Valued Customers, Upholding Intellectual Property Rights and Providing High Levels of Customer Care is a SRP Core Value.

DSI Rubber Products & DSI Plastic, Divisions of SRP are capable of Compression & Injection Moulding, Extrusion, Sheet Manufacturing and many types of Bondings (Steel, P,VC etc). We presently work with FDA Approved Food Grade Rubber(NR), Recycled Rubber, NYLON, PP, PE, PET, EVA, EPDM, HDPE, LATEX, NBR, SBR, NEOPRENE, PVC, TPR, ABS. These products are Exported Globally. Mount Spring Water Pvt Ltd is a Fully Owned Subsidiary of SRP, Manufacturing Bottled Drinking Water catering to the Sri Lankan FMCG industry for more than 15 Years. Mount Spring Bottled Drinking Water serves Prestigious Clients such as Keells Super Market Chain and is readily available Island Wide through its Dealer Network.

As SRP Celebrates 30 Years in Solid Tyre Business, the Focus is on both Honoring its Past Achievements and Driving Forward with Continued Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Excellence in the Global Tyre Industry.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has officially received generous financial contributions for the ‘Children of Gaza’ Fund, an initiative established to alleviate the suffering of those affected by conflicts in Gaza. The President’s Media Division (PMD) reported that various organizations and entities have stepped forward to support this noble cause.

Among the contributors, the Huda Jumma Mosque in Kalmunai donated Rs. 1,589,000, the All Ceylon Jamiatul Ulama – Kinnia branch contributed Rs. 5,300,000, the Regional Education Office in Kalmunai donated Rs. 3,128,500, and the Sports First Foundation contributed Rs. 300,000 towards this initiative.

Additionally, during the initial phase, President Wickremesinghe delivered US$1 million, received from allocations earmarked by ministries and government bodies for this year’s Iftar celebrations, to the Palestinian government through an official United Nations delegation.

Responding to the President’s call for contributions, a substantial sum has been collected for the ‘Children of Gaza Fund,’ which will be officially transferred to the Palestinian government in the coming days.

The PMD has announced that the window for contributions to this fund will remain open until April 30, 2024. Donors are encouraged to deposit their contributions into the Bank of Ceylon (7010), Taprobane Branch (747), account number 7040016 before the specified deadline, demonstrating solidarity and support for those in need.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on High Posts has given the green light to several significant appointments, including a new ambassador, ministerial secretary, and chairpersons to state institutions. The recently approved appointments are as follows:

• Mr. S.A. Rodrigo: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy
• Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel: Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development
• Mr. W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe: Chairman of the Regional Development Bank
• Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara: Chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, along with MPs Rishad Bathiudeen, participated in the recent meeting of the High Posts Committee, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Alexis Taylor, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), paid a courtesy visit to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday, April 26th.

During their meeting, President Wickremesinghe was briefed on the ongoing dairy modernization program supported by the United States. Expressing appreciation for the initiative, the President noted that it would complement Sri Lanka’s existing efforts to expand dairy production across the island.

In turn, President Wickremesinghe outlined the government’s broader agriculture modernization agenda, stressing the importance of engaging youth in the sector. The U.S. delegation expressed support for these endeavors, affirming their commitment to providing necessary assistance.

The meeting underscores the collaborative efforts between Sri Lanka and the United States in advancing agricultural development and highlights the potential for further cooperation in this crucial sector.

In a keynote address at the Council Meeting of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa presented a comprehensive plan to revitalize Sri Lanka’s export sector, which has been facing numerous challenges. Premadasa, the chief guest at the event, emphasized the need for a rational and expert-driven approach to address the issues plaguing the sector.

Ground Realities and Challenges
The Opposition Leader highlighted several key challenges facing the export sector, including:

• Low trade openness, with levels comparable to 1977
• Stagnant export growth between 2000 and 2016
• Limited high-tech product exports (only 1% of total exports)
• Lack of product diversification
• Limited export market diversification
• High energy costs, making it difficult to compete with other Asian countries
• Need to move towards knowledge-intensive exports

SJB’s Plan
To address these challenges, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya proposes the following strategies:

• Attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) for capital and knowledge transfer
• Encourage exporting multinational companies to set up operations in Sri Lanka
• Tap into global value chains to promote intra-industry trade
• Pursue free trade agreements to diversify export markets
• Expand into high-value exports
• Focus on improving productivity and human capital development
• Increase investment in research and development (R&D)
• Support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in export promotion
• Reform and revitalize institutions like the Export Development Board (EDB)

Inspiration from Other Countries
Sajith drew inspiration from countries like Vietnam, which has significantly increased its exports through aggressive free trade agreements. He also cited examples from Japan, Taiwan, and especially India’s Karnataka region, which have successfully promoted export-oriented and IT-related growth through investments in education and infrastructure.

The Opposition Leader also emphasized the need for a collective effort to rebuild and make Sri Lanka great again. He expressed confidence in the SJB’s team of experts and specialists, who are committed to implementing a rational and well-planned approach to address the challenges facing the export sector.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): Medical professionals among Members of Parliament initiated the establishment of a new caucus named the Parliamentary Medical Consultant Members caucus. The caucus, aimed at leveraging medical expertise within the legislative body, was officially formed on Thursday.

Professor Channa Jayasumana, representing the Anuradhapura District, was elected as the Chairman of the newly established caucus. The caucus also appointed notable figures in the medical field to key positions, including Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne as Patrons.

Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle and Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena were elected as Vice-Chairmen, while Dr. Thilak Rajapaksa assumed the role of Convener and Dr. Upul Galappatti as Deputy Convener.

The formation of this caucus underscores the recognition of the importance of medical expertise in parliamentary decision-making and highlights a concerted effort to address healthcare-related issues from within the legislative framework.

April 27, Colombo (LNW): The national observance of World Malaria Day took place at the Kurunegala Malaria Control Unit premises, presided over by Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala. The event commenced with a public awareness walk through Kurunegala City on Thursday, underscoring the significance of collective action in combating malaria.

World Malaria Day, marked annually on April 25th, centers on the theme ‘Accelerating the fight against Malaria for a fairer world.’ Malaria remains a significant global health concern, impacting communities worldwide.

Sri Lanka achieved a significant milestone in public health when it was certified as a malaria-free country by the World Health Organization in 2016. However, in 2023, the country reported 62 malaria cases, primarily among individuals who had traveled to African countries.

The commemoration held particular significance as it took place at the site of the first Anti-Malaria Unit established in Sri Lanka in 1911. Dr. Palitha Mahipala highlighted Sri Lanka’s remarkable achievements in public health, noting the eradication of malaria from the country eight years ago, following 105 years since the unit’s inception.

While celebrating past successes, Dr. Mahipala emphasized the ongoing threat posed by malaria due to its persistence in neighboring countries. He affirmed the national commitment to sustaining efforts in malaria prevention and control, highlighting the importance of continued vaccination programs and collective responsibility in this endeavor.

Dr. Mahipala underscored the necessity of ongoing vigilance and education to prevent the resurgence of malaria in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the importance of referring suspected cases for investigation and strengthening anti-malaria initiatives as a national priority.

As Sri Lanka continues its journey towards safeguarding public health, the commemoration of World Malaria Day serves as a reminder of the importance of sustained efforts and global collaboration in eliminating this debilitating disease.