Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of corruption concerning the recently approved Solar Power Project in Killinochchi.
Issuing a special statement, MP Premadasa alleged that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an Australia-based firm – United Solar Energy raises doubts as the company engages in solar panel distribution and not Battery Storage projects.
Noting that the capacity of the largest solar energy farm in Australia is 400Mw, while the capacity of the planned solar farm is 700Mw, the Opposition leader questions how a company with lack of expertise can handle such a project.
Mr. Premadasa also states that according to estimates, the project requires a surface area of 782 acres while the project lifetime is stated as 35 years despite the lifetime of a solar panel is 25 years.
Noting that United Solar Energy is founded and chaired by Richard Vargas who is a solar panel agent and distributor, the opposition leader says that a one Sujeewa Nishantha from Hambantota is working as the company accountant. In addition, Board members Kero Thilakarathne, Alex Chandrasiri and Shan Balasuriya are working as a real estate agent, a hotel food & beverage manager and a website designer respectively, Mr. Premadasa adds, questioning whether such people are capable of undertaking such a mammoth project.
MP Premadasa’s allegations come after the Cabinet this week approved to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with United Solar Group of Australia for the 700 MW Solar Power Project with a 1500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera announced the decision on X earlier this week.
He further said that the Solar Power Project will be established with a Foreign Direct Investment of USD 1,727 million and the power project will be installed on the surface of the Poonakary Tank in the Kilinochchi District in the Northern province of Sri Lanka.
A few showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 01), the Department of Meteorology.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (June 30).
The price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 12 to Rs. 305 per litre, while the price of Kerosene has been increased by Rs. 07 to Rs. 185 per litre. The price of Auto Diesel has also been increased by Rs. 15, bringing it to Rs. 289 per litre.
However, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel remain unchanged, according to Ceypetco.
The new fuel prices are as follows:
• Petrol Octane 92 – Rs. 305 (increased by Rs. 12) • Auto Diesel – Rs. 289 (increased by Rs. 15) • Kerosene – Rs. 185 (increased by Rs. 7) • Petrol Octane 95 – Rs. 341 (not revised) • Super Diesel – Rs. 325 (not revised)
Meanwhile, Lanka IOC has also revised retail fuel prices to match Ceypetco prices.
Former Minister and veteran politician Gamini Lokuge has passed away today (June 30) at the age of 82.
Commencing his political career in 1960 as a member of the United National Party, his first successful national-level campaign came in 1983, when he was elected by a clear majority to represent the Kesbewa District.
He served as Minister of Tourism during the UNP-led governments in 1989 and 2002. In 2006, following personal disagreements with then UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, he crossed over to the government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In January 2007, Lokuge was appointed Minister of Sports and Public Recreation. He was re-elected to Parliament in both 2010 and 2015.
On 27 November 2019, he was appointed State Minister for Urban Development, and on 12 August 2020, he assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport.
