Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced that the Cabinet of Ministers approved the electricity sector reforms bill during its meeting recently 

The Cabinet approval entails the green light to Gazette the amended version of the new electricity sector bill and to subsequently present it to Parliament for further consideration and approval.

“The bill will be gazetted this week and is scheduled to be presented to Parliament in the last week of April. Upon its presentation, the public will have a two-week window to scrutinise and potentially challenge the bill,” he noted via ‘X’.

The proposed electricity sector reforms bill marks a pivotal step in the Government’s efforts to modernise and streamline the electricity sector, aiming to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability while fostering competition and innovation.

The Sri Lankan Government intends to restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), instead of running all the related entities under one institution and will unbundle all related institutions separately, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera disclosed.

Currently loss making Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is now in for systematic restructuring process by unbundling it into eight separate corporate entities for power generation, transmission, and distribution, a recent board paper on administration specified.

The board paper clearly indicated that it plans to reduce massive losses of the CEB by transforming it into efficient profit making institution by setting up these entities under eight new general managers.

These entities will undertake functions of the CEB relating to hydro electricity, thermal electricity, coal power and non renewable power generation, distribution, and other activities of CEB as well as Lanka Electricity Company (LECO).

A new Electricity Reforms Bill have been drafted and presented in Parliament soon to regularise the restructuring process, a senior official of the Ministry of Power said

“Under the CEB restructuring process, the management structure of the CEB will be undergoing reforms and this would also enable renewable energy generation to be promoted in the country with the support of government and private and public partnerships.” he said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has alaready comapleted all background studies and data gathering work related to its restructuring programme, 

But it must wait until the proposed Electricity Sector Reforms Bill is passed in the Parliament for any of the related decisions to become material fact, a hig official of the CEB said. .

In the midst of the economic crisis that emerged in the country due to following wrong financial policies and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government focused on placing various Government and semi-Government institutions including the CEB under restructuring programmes.

CEB General Manager, engineer, Dr. Narendra de Silva said that various conceptual level processes are currently underway as part of the restructuring programme. “The restructuring process is currently underway. We have appointed an internal committee and it is working closely with the Restructuring Office established by the Government. All background studies have been done and the required data has been collected,” he said

April 13, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has reported a significant increase in daily income, reaching Rs. 25 million, attributed to the special bus service implemented for the April New Year festival. Starting April 5, the SLTB enhanced its service by deploying 200 additional buses to accommodate the surge in passengers traveling to their hometowns for the festive period. Panduka Swarnahansa, the Deputy General Manager of SLTB, highlighted this increase as a testament to the effective management and provision of transportation services during high-demand periods.

In parallel, the Road Development Authority (RDA) has observed a 10% rise in its revenue, spurred by the increased traffic flow associated with the festival. The RDA anticipates further increases in revenue as the festivities continue until April 15, 2024.

Additionally, the Railway Department has contributed to easing the transportation rush by introducing 12 extra train services specifically for the festival season, which will run until April 15, 2024. This coordinated effort across various transportation agencies underscores their commitment to ensuring efficient and adequate transportation for the public during one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated times of the year.

April 13, Colombo (LNW): In a major operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has intercepted two multi-day fishing trawlers off the southern coast, seizing approximately 200 kilograms of suspected heroin and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’. The operation led to the arrest of ten crew members found aboard these vessels.

The trawlers were detected during a special naval operation aimed at curtailing the drug trade in the region. Both vessels are currently being escorted to Galle Harbour, where the suspects will be handed over to the authorities for further investigation.

This significant drug haul underscores the ongoing efforts of the Sri Lanka Navy to combat illegal narcotics trafficking in the maritime zones of the island, contributing to national security and public health initiatives.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has affirmed his commitment to empowering the people and fortifying the economy by ensuring access to education, land, housing, and business opportunities. Stressing the importance of broadening economic participation, he highlighted its role in fostering a resilient national economy.
2. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to take disciplinary action against MP Prof. G. L. Peiris, the party’s general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said. According to him, the decision was reached by the executive committee of SLPP after taking into account the fact that he entered into an electoral pact with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
3. India on Wednesday said it is and will remain Colombo’s most reliable friend and dependable partner as it underlined that New Delhi was willing to offer modern defence equipment to friendly partner countries like Sri Lanka.
4. The distribution of annual gift parcels to children under the care of 336 child development centers throughout the country, in line with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative. Coordinated by the Office of the President, with support from the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and Sri Lanka Army, the distribution aims to bring joy to over 10,000 children.
5. Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan have successfully concluded the second round of Foreign Office Consultations in Astana. The Sri Lanka delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane while the Kazakh delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev.
6. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) says its daily revenue has gone up by approximately Rs. 25 million owing to the special bus service set in place for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
7. Sri Lanka Navy has intercepted two multi-day fishing trawlers carrying around 200kg of suspected heroin and crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’) off the southern coast of the island. Ten crew members who were on board the vessels were also taken into custody.
8. Indian low-cost airline, Indigo, has expanded its connectivity to Sri Lanka adding direct flights from Mumbai to Colombo.
9. The National Transport Commission has launched raids on private buses that overcharge for transportation services.Chairman of the National Transport Commission Shashi Welgama says the steps were taken based on information received from commuters.
10. Former Sri Lankan cricketer and international umpire Kumar Dharmasena has denied media reports linking him to an illegal agricultural business operated in Sri Lanka. In a video message on Facebook, Dharmasena said his factory for the production of Agarwood, popularly known as oudh, products were being carried out as per the laws of the nation.

April 13, Colombo (LNW): State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, has announced that an additional 182,140 families will now receive benefits under the Aswesuma welfare benefit programme, following the revision of appeals and objections. This decision brings the total number of beneficiaries to 1,854,000. The government has committed Rs. 58.5 billion to support these payments, including arrears, which will be settled by April 18.

Despite the expansion, around 200,000 qualified families have not yet opened the required bank accounts or updated their personal details, delaying their access to the benefits. The State Minister expressed concern over the lack of response from these families, despite extensive efforts by regional secretariats and media campaigns to reach them.

Looking ahead, the government plans to commence a new survey for the Aswesuma programme in May, aiming to encompass 2.4 million families. A significant budget allocation of Rs. 205 billion has been set aside for this initiative in the current fiscal year, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding social welfare amidst ongoing economic challenges.

April 13, Colombo (LNW): SLPP National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has made a bold statement equating the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), both known for their violent actions against public property and lives. Rajapaksa highlighted that the JVP, similar to the LTTE, has targeted the Maha Sangha, civilians, and critical infrastructure such as buses and transformers.

Speaking to the media after visiting the Mahanayakes of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters to seek blessings, Rajapaksa emphasized the destructive past of the JVP, comparing it directly with the LTTE’s history of violence. He posed a question to the public about their choice of leadership: a group known for destruction or one that aims for national development.

Further critiquing the political landscape, Rajapaksa lambasted certain political parties that rise to prominence by merely boasting. He criticized these groups for overthrowing the government, only to later face allegations of theft and imprisonment. His comments have sparked a debate about the historical actions of these groups and their impact on Sri Lanka’s political stability and development.

April 13, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in North-central, Central and Uva provinces and at several places elsewhere of the island after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05^th to 15^th of April in this year. The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13^th) are Kumulamunai, Murikandi, Keridamadu and Tanniyatttu at about 12:10 noon.

April 13, Colombo (LNW): The distribution of annual gift parcels to children residing in 336 child development centers across the country is scheduled for tomorrow (13), as part of an initiative by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This event, coordinated by the Office of the President and supported by the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff along with the Sri Lanka Army, aims to spread joy to over 10,000 children. Each child will receive a parcel and the President’s New Year message.

The initiative reaches children in various provinces including Central, Eastern, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western, ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, feels cherished and part of a larger community.

CBL Corporation proudly sponsors this initiative, playing a key role in the delivery of these eagerly awaited gift parcels to children throughout the nation.