News

PUCSL approval to procure 100MW power for 6 months

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

editor

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.

News

Legendary actress Malani Fonseka passes away

Published

16 hours ago

May 24, 2025

editor

Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.