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Cabinet approves electricity tariff hikes under 2 steps!

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Although the electricity tariff has been increased in the past, it is not sufficient to cover the loss of the electricity board and thus, the request to increase the electricity bill has received cabinet approval.

The aforesaid was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held yesterday (29).

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved to increase the electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023 and accordingly the relevant measures are to be taken for the purpose of obtaining approval of the Public Utility Commission, said Mr. Rohan Seneviratne, Additional General Manager of the Electricity Board.

This was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held under the Chairmanship of Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.

The representatives of the government and private institutions related to the power sector were called before the Committee to obtain proposals for the purpose of solving the issues in the power sector.

In order to cover the current loss, the electricity bill should increase by about 70%, the electricity board representatives said.

The chairman of the committee also pointed out the dangers such as the collapse of businesses even if the electricity tariffs are increased with the aim of covering the loss of the electricity board.

It was also disclosed that the Electricity Board currently owes nearly 650 billion rupees as loans to various parties including banks and electricity suppliers. Electricity Board representative stated that out of the amount to be paid, nearly 35 billion rupees are to be paid to the organizations that supplied renewable energy and 75 billion rupees are to be paid for Thermal power suppliers. Thus, it was said that it is expected to least make part payment to the suppliers from the 50-billion-rupee loan expected to receive.

The representatives of the renewable energy sector including solar energy and the representatives of other private institutions related to the power sector briefed the committee about their concerns and the reforms that should take place in the power sector.

The State Minister for Power and Energy – Indika Anuruddha was also present at the Committee meeting held. The state minister, who joined the discussion with the representatives of the power sector, said that he would work to provide solutions to these problems.

State Minister – Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan as well as Members of Parliament Mano Ganesan and M. Rameshwaran were present at this Committee meeting held.

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Have inquiry how you can have better country not on me missing my flight – Venerable Ajahn (Video)

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Venerable Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera, who was held back at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for 12 hours, said instead of having an inquiry about how he missed the flight, authorities should have an inquiry on how Sri Lanka can have a better country with more forgiveness.

“I learnt that the President has initiated an inquiry about how I missed my flight. Someone made a little mistake. It is not a big deal. So please instead of having an inquiry about how I missed my flight, instead have an inquiry how you can have a better country with more forgiveness. Allow people to make mistakes because one thing which I’ve noticed when you allow people to make a mistake, they’re not afraid of making mistakes. They make less mistakes,” the Thera said in a video.

The Thera said he never knew the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was at the lounge that evening.

“I am a well-known monk. So, you go in the VIP lounge. I never knew the prime minister of Sri Lanka at the lounge that evening. He was going off to some big event over in Bangkok.  Everything was orderly and plenty of time to wait for the flight. When it came to the boarding time, I asked if we are boarding soon. They said don’t worry, everything is on schedule. By the time they took me to the gate, that is when I saw the boarding bridge was moving away from the aircraft. The plane took off. I missed my flight. Nothing to do with anything which I was doing. I just got taken out only seen the lounge. Supposed to be VIP is supposed to look after VIPs please never become a VIP. You tend to lose your board. If I had just walked out by myself no problem, but you can’t exist soldiers outside,” he said.

(dailymirror.lk)

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31 Jaffna University students suspended over a brawl

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A total of 31 students of the University of Jaffna have been suspended with immediate effect.

The 31 students of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce have been suspended following a brawl between second-year and third-year students on Friday.

Following preliminary investigations, 16 second-year students and 15 third-year students have been banned from entering the University premises until further notice.

They will also not be allowed to enter or remain inside University hostels.

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Sri Lanka square series with 132-run win over Afghanistan

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Sri Lanka comprehensively defeated Afghanistan by 132 runs in the second one-day-international to square the series 1-1 in Hambantota.

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