Connect with us

News

Energy Ministry denies CEB Chairman’s resignation, Says he is on leave 

Published

on

The Media Division of the Ministry of Energy has dismissed media reports claiming the resignation of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, clarifying that he has only taken leave for personal overseas travel.  

A senior ministry official stated that Dr. Siyambalapitiya had formally informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about his temporary leave and denied any resignation.  

“There is no truth in the media reports suggesting the resignation of the CEB Chairman,” the official emphasized.  

Dr. Siyambalapitiya was appointed as CEB Chairman on September 26, 2023, following the formation of the NPP-led government. The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions on electricity tariff revisions and financial reforms in the power sector.  

The CEB has recently been under scrutiny over proposed tariff hikes and compliance with IMF-mandated cost-reflective pricing, with speculation rising over leadership changes. 

The ministry’s statement seeks to quell rumors and ensure stability in the institution’s administration.

News

Govt. intervention urged to resolve issues at USJ external degree unit

Published

on

By

Senior Lecturer Ven. Dambara Amila Thero has emphasised that the intervention of the government and University Grants Commission (UGC) is essential for a proper resolution to the prevailing crisis at the External Degrees and Extension Courses Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Last Monday (June 23), the External Degrees and Extension Courses Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) announced that all seminars and registration activities of external degree programmes will be temporarily suspended from June 24.

The suspension is due to issues and ambiguities arising from University Grants Commission (UGC) circulars No. 932, 1/2016, and 4/2016, issued since 2010.

The university states that efforts are underway to resolve the matter, and academic activities will resume as soon as the issues are cleared.

Related News :

Continue Reading

News

Court orders CID to probe Rs.90 mn. fraud at People’s Bank

Published

on

By

Colombo Fort Magistrate – Nilupuli Lankapura has directed the CID to launch a full investigation into an alleged Rs.90 million fraud at the state owned People’s Bank.

The order follows a motion filed by Senior Counsel Gunaratna Wanninayake over the incident said to have occurred nearly a decade ago, calling for the perpetrators to be caught.

Accordingly, the CID’s Commercial Crimes Division was instructed to identify those responsible and report progress by July 30th.

The case originated from a CID complaint filed on October 28, 2015, by Chairman of Yashoda Holdings (Pvt) Ltd – Yasasiri Kasthuriarachchi. The case alleges that forged documents were used to fraudulently secure a loan by transferring property ownership.

Senior Counsel Gunaratna Wanninayake informed the court that a loan of Rs.90 million was secured by mortgaging a 48-acre land in Pasyala worth Rs.4,000 million inherited by his client – Kasthuriarachchi. The loan was obtained from the state bank using forged documents and without the loan money ever reaching his clients’ accounts.

He further noted that loans of this scale from a state bank usually require board-level approval, yet no such approval is on record prompting the question of who misappropriated the Rs.90 million.

He requested a full investigation into the incident.

Continue Reading

News

‘Suwa Seriya’ paying extra rent amid bypassed rules

Published

on

By

The building housing the Suwa Seriya headquarters in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte has overcharged the rent by millions over the officially assessed value.

An audit by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that as a result over Rs.05 million than the officially assessed value had been paid every year.

According to the NAO report, the building’s owner rejected the government’s valuation and submitted a separate, higher assessment, which was ultimately accepted contrary to regulations.

Regulations require that when leasing a building, the institution’s head must first obtain an assessment from the Chief Valuer. As per established procedures, such disputes should be referred to the relevant ministry secretary if the Chief Valuer’s assessment is not accepted.

However, the audit found this process was not followed.

In response, Suwa Seriya management told the NAO that a decision was taken at a Board of Directors meeting in March 2025 to forward the rental matter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health for approval.

(Source: Aruna)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved