Connect with us

News

National Council gives instructions on electricity bill

Published

on

Respective officials were informed today (13) that the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka hold discussions before the Public Utilities Commission takes the final decision on the 15th regarding the electricity bill.

Accordingly, the officials of both parties agreed to meet this afternoon (13) for the purpose of discussing this matter.

This was informed when the National Council met today (13) under the chairmanship of Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Chairman of the Electricity Board said that if the required percentage is not allowed to be increased in a background where the Electricity Board is demanding a 60% increase in electricity tariffs, it will have to face a serious crisis. Accordingly, he pointed out that due to the lack of money even to import coal in the future, there is a risk for longer power cut.

The officials of the Public Utilities Commission said that arrangements are being made to announce the final decision on the electricity increase on the 15th. They also pointed out that the data from the CEB and the views of the relevant stakeholders including the public have been obtained.

Attention was also paid to the fact that the Chairman and the Director General of the Public Utilities Commission are currently abroad. The Secretary of the Public Utilities Commission said that they had gone abroad after proper permission as planned many months ago and the Chairman and Director General had intervened in all these activities in full capacity.

The National Council pointed out that at such time, it is more important to discuss the views of both the Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission and come to a consensus and take a decision where as in failure to do so would otherwise cause suffering to the people which cannot be avoided.

Furthermore, the chairman to the National Council sub-committee Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies, Member of Parliament Hon. Namal Rajapaksa informed the National Council of the National Policy Commission to be established. The Prime Minister gave instructions to take steps to get the views and suggestions of the members of Parliament after completing the preparation of the concept paper. Accordingly, the Prime Minister said that necessary steps will be taken through the National Council on this regard.

Ministers Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, Hon. Tiran Alas, State Ministers Hon. Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Members of Parliament Hon. Johnston Fernando, Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the meeting held. Mr. Tikiri K. Jayathilake, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament was also present at the Council meeting held.

Moreover, the members of the Public Utilities Commission, the officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ceylon Electricity Board were also summoned before the National Council.

News

Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

on

By

The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

Continue Reading

News

Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

on

By

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am –  4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Court order issued against ‘Eh Yaye’ song

Published

on

By

The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.

Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.

The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.

Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants,  the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.

The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.

(Source : Dailymirror.lk)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved