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.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (June 30).
The price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 12 to Rs. 305 per litre, while the price of Kerosene has been increased by Rs. 07 to Rs. 185 per litre. The price of Auto Diesel has also been increased by Rs. 15, bringing it to Rs. 289 per litre.
However, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel remain unchanged, according to Ceypetco.
The new fuel prices are as follows:
• Petrol Octane 92 – Rs. 305 (increased by Rs. 12) • Auto Diesel – Rs. 289 (increased by Rs. 15) • Kerosene – Rs. 185 (increased by Rs. 7) • Petrol Octane 95 – Rs. 341 (not revised) • Super Diesel – Rs. 325 (not revised)
Meanwhile, Lanka IOC has also revised retail fuel prices to match Ceypetco prices.
Former Minister and veteran politician Gamini Lokuge has passed away today (June 30) at the age of 82.
Commencing his political career in 1960 as a member of the United National Party, his first successful national-level campaign came in 1983, when he was elected by a clear majority to represent the Kesbewa District.
He served as Minister of Tourism during the UNP-led governments in 1989 and 2002. In 2006, following personal disagreements with then UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, he crossed over to the government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In January 2007, Lokuge was appointed Minister of Sports and Public Recreation. He was re-elected to Parliament in both 2010 and 2015.
On 27 November 2019, he was appointed State Minister for Urban Development, and on 12 August 2020, he assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport.
Sri Lanka is the only country in the Asia region currently holding discussions with officials in the United States to revise the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump earlier this year, according to Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando.
Joining the Parliamentary debate today (30), where MPs are debating the fiscal strategy statement of the government, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development stated that they are hopeful the government will be able get a better deal from the US regarding the 44% tariff imposed earlier this year.
A Sri Lankan delegation last month held discussions in Washington, D.C., focusing on tariff-related matters, following an invitation extended by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
The reciprocal tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump has been paused for 90 days at present.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando in Parliament stated that the government will take all steps within their powers to reduce the tariffs imposed by the US which will have a major bearing on many local industries.
The Deputy Minister while the government is taking such important steps to safeguard local companies, the opposition is only focused on jeopardizing the work of the present administration
(adaderana.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
