News

Plans to amend Electricity Act & Tariff system

Published

7 months ago

October 9, 2024

editor

The Ministry of Power has announced plans to amend the Electricity Act and the Tariff system.

Secretary to the Ministry, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala has stated that reviews shall be done to identify necessary amendments and the ministry plans to gather input from representatives of electricity sector trade unions for this.

The proposed amendments are expected to be approved by the new Parliament.

Professor Hemapala has emphasized that the President, who is also the subject minister, has instructed that the restructuring of the CEB be carried out in a manner beneficial to the country.
The Electricity Act, passed on June 06 this year, included provisions to divide the CEB into 12 entities and to streamline the workforce but faced stiff opposition from CEB trade unions.

Prof. Hemapala has also announced the commencement of a study to revise the current electricity tariff formula, aiming to introduce a more consumer-friendly electricity tariff system.

The new methodology will be presented to the President before being submitted to the Cabinet. It will then be presented to the Public Utilities Commission.

News

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

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

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.