News

PUCSL approval to procure 100MW power for 6 months

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to procure 100MW of Electricity Generation Capacity for 06 months on short term basis.

The approval of PUCSL has been granted to the transmission licensee under section 43(4)(c)(ii) of Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.20 of 2009 (as amended) to proceed with the procurement process for adding a generation capacity of 100MW in the southern area on short term basis for period of 6 months from 18th August 2023 subjected to the following conditions.

The adding generation capacity shall operate on merit order basis and transmission licensee shall demonstrate that the power plants operated on merit order through an independent dispatch audit at the end of Power Purchase Agreement period.
The Kotmale – New Polpitiya 220kV line shall be energized before 31st August 2024.
The procurement of above supplementary power shall be done on the least cost basis.

The Cabinet of Ministers had declared an emergency situation pertaining to the decision to release of water from the Samanalawewa Power Plant for irrigation purposes of downstream cultivations and to procure 100MW of supplementary power by 15th August 2023, for a period of 4 – 6 months to avoid planned power shedding at the Cabinet meeting held on August 07.

The release of water for agricultural purposes from Samanalawewa has begun on August 08.

Meanwhile according to information of the Meteorological Department, significant rainfall can be expected only from mid-October 2023.

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Weather advisory for severe lightning & heavy rain

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning for strong lightning and heavy rain in several parts of the country, effective until 11:00 pm today (April 22).

Thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning are expected this evening and tonight in the Eastern, Uva, Central, and Northern provinces, as well as in the Hambantota and Polonnaruwa districts.

Temporary strong winds may also occur during these storms.

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Police appoints committee to study PCOI report on Easter Sunday bombings

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Sri Lanka Police have appointed a four-member committee to study the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the committee is headed by a Senior DIG, Asanka Karawita.

The remaining members consist of the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Director of the CID, and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

He added that several more sub-committees have been appointed under the purview of the main committee.

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Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26

Published

4 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday (April 26) at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT), the Vatican confirms.

The funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service.

At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation – a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God – and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

He will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning (April 23), where his casket will remain until burial for the public to pay their respects.

The Pope’s coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects.

His body is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.

The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines.

(BBC News)