News

PUCSL Chairman refuses to quit

Published

1 year ago

April 22, 2023

editor

The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake launched a scathing attack on “stupid politicians” saying they were responsible for the power crisis in Sri Lanka.

He also said that the developing situation in the country has forced him to consider entering politics.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera is pushing for the removal of Ratnayake after he had refused to back the electricity tariff hike, but Ratnayake told Daily Mirror he will not quit.

He also expressed confidence that the proposal will not receive the 113 majority it requires in Parliament for him to be removed.

In an interview on the programme ‘On Fire with Easwaran Rutnam’ Ratnayake said that the electricity tariff hike and the contraction of the economy has resulted in the demand for electricity dropping drastically. He said the drop in demand would not help the loss-making Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) which is attempting to recover its losses through the tariff hike.

“These are the basic things that these stupid politicians do not understand.they do not understand economics, they do not understand accountancy.they know only politics,and I think the present politicians don’t even know how to play politics,” he said.

Ratnayake said that a decision taken in 2014 to reduce the cost of electricity by 25 per cent was also another “stupid, ignorant” move by politicians. The PUCSL Chairman also said that the benefit of the current improvement in the exchange rate and the drop in the cost of raw materials should be passed on to the consumers.

As a result, he had requested the CEB to submit a proposal to reduce the electricity tariffs.

However, he says the CEB has responded saying that another revision is likely and that it could even be another increase in tariffs. Ratnayake claimed mismanagement has resulted in the CEB continuing to incur losses and being unable to cover its costs even with the last tariff increase.

Meanwhile, Ratnayake, who had backed Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the presidency, said he now regrets the decision adding that the former President had “no common sense”.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

(dailymirror.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)