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CEB workers to fall sick tomorrow & hold protest in Colombo

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Workers of the Ceylon Electricity Board are to apply for sick leave tomorrow (Nov. 01) before holding a protest noon before the CEB headquarters in Colombo.

According to a media release by the ‘Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya’, the protest will coincide with the 54th anniversary of the CEB since its inception.

The Trade Union states that a large number of CEB workers islandwide, is to join the TU action, which is being held to express their protest over several matters including a proposed Bill to sell off portions of the CEB, increasing electricity bills and salary irregularities.

Protest march from Divulapitiya

Meanwhile, The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) has organised a protest march from Divulapitiya to the Ministry of Power and Energy in Colombo tomorrow (Nov. 01) in protest of the recent increase in electricity tariffs.

Following approval being granted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had raised the electricity tariffs by between 18 to 20%, with effect from 20 October.

Reforms Bill tabled before Cabinet

Meanwhile, Minister of Power – Kanchana Wijesekera had yesterday (30) published an X message that he had ‘tabled the proposed Electricity sector Reforms Bill for the observations & approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.’

“The proposed reforms will unbundle the services of CEB, improve efficiency, transparency, competition & allow private sector participation in the electricity industry,” he added.

“The Bill was prepared over the last 10 months with the assistance of energy & legal experts from development agencies & industry stakeholders. The Bill received the certification of the Attorney General last week after the proposed amendments by the AGs Dept was incorporated by the Legal Draftsman’s. Once the Cabinet of Ministers approves the Bill, it will be gazetted & tabled in the Parliament for approval,” he further said.

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Forests on state lands to be designated as reserves

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The Ministry of Environment has decided to designate several forests located on state owned lands as official forest reserves.

Deputy Minister – Anton Jayakody has stated that such forests, each spanning 05 hectares or more, have been identified in every district.

Special priority will be given to designating forest reserves on mountain peaks.

In the first phase, 20 forests in districts including Monaragala and Ampara have been selected under the new program named ‘Vanaspathi’,  he said.

He further said the initiative aims to protect these forest areas and expand the country’s forest cover.

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No cases filed against 22 banned pyramid schemes – CBSL

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Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has banned 22 institutions operating illegal pyramid schemes, no legal action has been taken against any of them so far, according to reports.

This was disclosed during a workshop held at the CBSL yesterday (July 08) on the dangers of pyramid schemes.

According to CBSL officials, after initial investigations, the files were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.

The CID’s Financial Crimes Unit has reportedly completed its investigations and submitted findings to the Attorney General’s Department, which is responsible for filing cases.

However, it was noted that not a single case has been filed to date.

The CBSL states that investigations will be continued against companies engaged in these illegal practices and hopes at least one or two such cases would be filed by the end of this year or early next year (2026).

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NPP’s Nishantha Jayaweera sworn in as MP

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U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National People’s Power (NPP) National List Member of Parliament before the Speaker of the House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (July 09).

He fills the Parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma last month.

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