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If China or India go to court, CPC in trouble!

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Following the enactment of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Act in October last year, the basic agreement of restructuring the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) based on a proposal by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2001 has been breached, it is learnt.

The Act allowed international petroleum product retail suppliers to enter the local market.

Accordingly, it was reported that if China or India go to court, the CPC will face a serious crisis.

When questioned by the Sri Lanka Mirror, Cyril Suduwella, who is an expert in the petroleum sector, also confirmed this.

He pointed out that the new Act has breached the basic ADB agreements of bringing the CPC affairs under an independent regulatory body and dealing with stakeholders in the petroleum sector in a fair, just and equitable manner.

According to these proposals, the Kolonnawa Oil Terminal has been established, where three parties have been given the opportunity to distribute and sell fuel in the country.

Accordingly, the CPC, Indian Oil Company and a Chinese company named ‘China Sinopec’ have been given this opportunity.

However, China Sinopec has not started its operations in Sri Lanka even though it has been given permission.

Accordingly, more than 100 filling stations that were given to this company have been placed under the purview of the Treasury.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera submitted the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill to the Cabinet last year. The Bill was passed in Parliament on October 26 last year.

The proposal made by the ADB 21 years ago said the regulation of petroleum should be done by an independent regulatory body under the minister in charge. However, it is said that these proposals have been violated by the amended Act.

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Legendary actress Malani Fonseka passes away

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Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

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02 day Hajj holiday for Muslim schools

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The Ministry of Education has decided to grant holidays to all Muslim schools on June 06 and 09, as the Hajj festival for Muslim pilgrims falls on Saturday (June 07).

Accordingly, the announcement issued by the Ministry states that schools should be held on Monday (May 26) and (May 27), for the school holiday.

It also notes that the second term for Muslim schools in the 2025 school year will begin on May 26.

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Showers expected at times in several districts

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Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts today (May 24), the Department of Meteorology said.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the evening or night.

Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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