The Deputy Speaker of Parliament – Dr. Rizvie Salih has announced the decision of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled “Value Added Tax (Amendment)”, has been received.

The Bill was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court has communicated that since both petitioners in S.C. (SD) 05/2025 and S.C. (SD) 06/2025 had opted not to proceed with the matter in view of the undertakings given by the State, the Court had not made a determination on the Constitutionality of the Bill, the Deputy Speaker said.

National United Republic Front Leader Patali Champika Ranawaka has warned of the first ‘post-election blow’ that the public would face due to the government’s recent measures taken with regard to solar power generation.

He has said this during a media briefing held in Rajapihilla, Kandy.

Ranawaka pointed out that the Sampur power plant project has a 20-year history, which was first initiated in 2004 under President Chandrika Kumaratunga but delayed due to the war. Former President Maithripala Sirisena had proposed a renewable energy project using gas, which has now shifted to solar power, a move he welcomed.However, Ranawaka noted that the real issue lies in the government’s recent decision to curtail solar power during the New Year season, starting from Feb. 09, replacing it with power generated from oil and coal.

While the Sampur plant generates 120 megawatts, solar power currently produces 1,300 megawatts, he said. Reducing solar power generation while simultaneously signing deals for new power plants is not only a political farce but a betrayal of the public. According to Ranawaka, the Ceylon Electricity Board has spent an additional Rs. 14 billion on oil and coal during February and March, and the resulting financial burden is likely to be passed on to the public through an increase in electricity tariffs by June. He concluded that this increase may be the first “post-election blow” the public will feel after the upcoming local government elections.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

Egg prices have increased with days before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

The price of an egg, which ranged between Rs.28 – Rs.30 last week, has increased by Rs.04 – Rs.06 recently.

Accordingly, the current price of an egg ranges around Rs.32 – 34 or more in many parts of the island, with further price hikes expected in the coming days.

With the upcoming festive season, egg prices are rising and vendors expect further hikes in the coming days.