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More power cuts ahead? – CEB to decide today

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is expected to decide today (10) whether power cuts will be required to be imposed as the Norochcholai coal power plant remains disconnected from the national grid.

A special discussion regarding the situation is scheduled to take place today, as authorities assess the electricity supply following the island-wide power outage that occurred yesterday (09) at approximately 11.15 a.m. The disruption was linked to an incident at the Panadura grid substation.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody attributed the outage to an accident caused by a monkey entering the substation. However, the CEB explained that the incident led to an imbalance in the power system, triggering the widespread blackout.

Efforts were made to restore power, but the process was hindered due to low electricity demand on Sunday. While the CEB had fully restored power by 6.00 p.m., all three generators at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant were automatically disconnected due to the activation of its protocol system.

This shutdown resulted in a loss of 900 megawatts to the national grid. As electricity demand increased after 6.00 p.m., several areas experienced power outages. To counteract the shortfall, the CEB obtained electricity from thermal power plants, ultimately restoring power across the island by 9.45 p.m.

Despite these efforts, the CEB has stated that it will take approximately four days to restart the three generators at the Norochcholai plant. Today’s meeting will focus on strategies to manage the electricity demand and avoid power cuts during this period.

Meanwhile, Minister Jayakody issued a press release addressing the power outage, stating that the absence of a proper system to balance the national power supply was a result of past government policies. The statement further criticized previous administrations for implementing unplanned and short-sighted energy programs, which, according to the ministry, contributed to the recent disruption.
(adaderana.lk)
(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Harshana Suriyapperuma resigns from Parliament

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Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, who served as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, has resigned from Parliament. 

He is reportedly tipped to be appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance after the retirement of Mahinda Siriwardana at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Parliament – Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission in writing that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament due to the resignation of Dr. Suriyapperuma.

Dr. Suriyapperuma, a National List Member of Parliament representing the National People’s Power (NPP) and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Stabilization, submitted his letter of resignation to the Secretary General of Parliament.According to the letter submitted by Dr. Suriyapperuma, the resignation is effective from June 20, 2025.

Accordingly, the Secretary General has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission that, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, the seat held by Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma in the Tenth Parliament is now vacant.

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit SL

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The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 23 – 26, 2025. 

This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016.
During the visit, the High Commissioner is scheduled to call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

As part of the programme, the High Commissioner will travel to Kandy where he will pay respects to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and call on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. He will also travel to Jaffna and Trincomalee where he will meet with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Substantive discussions during the visit will focus on further advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s ongoing constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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3 DMT officials remanded until July 07

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Three officials from the Narahenpita branch of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), including the Deputy Commissioner, have been remanded until July 07 following allegations of accepting bribes totaling nearly Rs. 04 million.

The suspects were presented before Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali Jayatunga earlier today (June 20) and court ordered their continued detention as investigations are continuing.Authorities allege that the officials solicited bribes from members of the public seeking vehicle licenses and registration services with these bribes reportedly discovered in their possession during the arrest.

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