News

Indian assistance to develop renewable energy sector

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2023

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera to enter into a memorandum of understanding with India on cooperation in the field of renewable energy, the Government Information Department said.

It said that the government policy is to obtain 70% of the total electricity requirement from renewable energy sources by 2030, become independent in terms of energy supply and achieve Carbon neutrality by 2050.

Accordingly, India has agreed to promote and strengthen cooperation in the field of renewable energy by joint execution and/or facilitation of solar power, wind power generation including onshore wind and biomass based power generation projects and uninterruptible transmission infrastructure by private and public sector enterprises of India and Sri Lanka at mutually agreed locations.

News

Yoshitha & his grandmother served indictments ; bailed

Published

54 minutes ago

April 4, 2025

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The Colombo High Court today (April 04) granted bail to Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his grandmother Daisy Forrest, after serving them with indictments.

Indictments were served before Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige in relation to a case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Following this, they have been released on two surety bails of Rs.500,000 each.

The case will be taken up for hearing once again on May 30.

News

EC halts New Year relief pack

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2025

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The Election Commission (EC) has announced that the government’s decision to provide a subsidized food package for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has been temporarily suspended.

Accordingly, the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development have been formally instructed to distribute the seasonal food package only after the Local Government elections are held.

As per this year’s budget proposal, this food package was to be provided to eligible beneficiaries selected from 812,753 new applicants who had submitted requests under the ‘Aswesuma’ program.

The package was designed to offer essential food items worth Rs.5,000 at a subsidized price of Rs.2,500.

The Cabinet recently approved the initiative, and distribution was originally scheduled to take place from April 01 to 13 via Lanka Sathosa and Coop outlets.

News

MI-17 choppers & Air Force personnel sent ahead of Indian PM’s arrival

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2025

editor

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today evening (April 04) for a two-day official visit.

A formal welcome ceremony will be held at the Independence Square tomorrow (April 05), followed by a bilateral discussion between the Sri Lankan President and the visiting Indian Prime Minister.

According to reports, India has flown in 04 MI-17 helicopters as part of PM’s convoy in Sri Lanka along with 40 Indian Air Force personnel.

On a X post yesterday, PM Modi has said :

“My visit to Sri Lanka will take place from the 4th till the 6th. This visit comes after the successful visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India. We will review the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka friendship and discuss newer avenues of cooperation. I look forward to the various meetings there.”

My visit to Sri Lanka will take place from the 4th till the 6th. This visit comes after the successful visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India. We will review the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka friendship and discuss newer avenues of cooperation. I look forward to the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2025