The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is considering a 25 to 35 percent electricity tariff increase, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urging Sri Lanka to implement revised rates.  

CEB sources confirmed that the proposed hikes align with a pricing formula agreed upon by the CEB and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). 

The new rates will require PUCSL approval before implementation.  

Amid ongoing discussions, CEB Chairman Tilak Siyambalapitiya has resigned, reportedly due to political and regulatory interference in setting cost-reflective tariffs. Earlier this year, the PUCSL approved a 20 percent tariff reduction against the CEB’s advice, leading to renewed financial losses.  

A senior CEB official revealed that after January’s reduction, losses began rising again. 

In 2023 and 2024, tariff hikes had helped the CEB post profits of Rs. 61 billion and Rs. 141 billion, respectively, reducing accumulated losses from Rs. 473 billion to Rs. 271 billion. However, losses have climbed since February.  

The IMF had set two key conditions: cost-reflective pricing and an automatic 10 percent hike if monthly cash flow falls below Rs. 15 billion. 

The official noted that without January’s reduction, a 5 percent increase would have been needed in Q2.  

The IMF has warned Sri Lanka twice in recent weeks for breaching cost-recovery benchmarks, raising fiscal risks. 

A scheduled April tariff revision was skipped, with authorities offering unclear explanations.  

The proposed hike aims to stabilize CEB’s finances while meeting IMF demands for sustainable energy pricing.

Four names have been proposed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fill two vacancies in the Court of Appeal (CA).

Chief Justice Murdu Fernando has proposed the names of High Court Judges Frank Gunawardena, Adithya Kumara Patabendi and Nawaratne Marasinghe on two occasions. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, meanwhile, has proposed the name of Deputy Solicitor General Riyaz Bary.

The President is due to send two of the four names to the Constitutional Council for approval.

Two further vacancies are due to occur in the CA next month with the retirement of CA President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Acting CA President Mohammed Laffar upon reaching 63 years of age. Justice Karunaratne is currently on pre-retirement leave and is due to retire on June 16, while Justice Laffar is set to retire on June 18.

The Judicial Service Commission has also recruited 50 judicial officers to fill existing vacancies in the magistrate courts. Forty-six of the newly recruited judicial officers will be appointed as magistrates, while the remaining four will be appointed as
presidents of labour
tribunals.

Meanwhile, four vacancies exist for the Additional Solicitor General positions at the Attorney General’s Department. Senior Deputy Solicitor Generals Hiranjan Peiris, Azad Nawawi, Lakmali Karunanayake and Sudarshana De Silva are expected to be appointed to fill these vacancies.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Police have launched an investigation to arrest the popular tutor Hyeshika Fernando, also known as ‘Teacher Amma’, for allegedly assaulting a young man.

It is reported that Hayeshika Fernando had kicked the young man’s testicles, after which he was admitted to the Negombo Hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, Hyeshika Fernando had fled the area, but her husband and her manager had been taken into custody by the Katana Police.

After being produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, the two suspects were ordered to be remanded until May 14.

The Magistrate has also instructed the Katana Police to carry out further investigations and to arrest and produce in court the main suspect in the case — the tutor Hyeshika Fernando, popularly known as ‘Teacher Amma’.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)