News

Sri Lanka to sell renewable power to India

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka and India will sign a pact to link power grids and start negotiations on an upgraded trade agreement within two months, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda has said.

India has provided some $4 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka since the crisis hit early last year, but the country is now seeking to enhance trade and investments as it moves to close a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Moragoda told Reuters on Wednesday.

“We have to have growth, otherwise the economy will shrink. As far as growth is concerned, India offers that prospect. So we will have to move on from that. Tourism from India, investment from India, integration with India. That’s what we have to do,” Moragoda said.

A key part of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery plan rests on developing its renewable energy resources in the north, from where power can be transported into southern India through a cross-border transmission cable.

The two countries resumed talks on linking their electricity grids last year, and Moragoda said a memorandum of understanding on the project would be signed within two months, which will be followed by a feasibility study.

First proposed more than a decade ago, the project has made little progress so far. But Moragoda said Sri Lanka hoped to get the transmission line in place within two to three years so that renewable power produced can be sold to India.

“We need to have more sources of foreign exchange and electricity will be ideal,” he said. India is Sri Lanka’s biggest trading partner accounting for about $5 billion each in bilateral trade in 2021.

News

H’tota Bird Park owner remanded (Update)

Published

58 minutes ago

July 17, 2025

editor

The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park has been remanded.

He has been remanded until July 25 by the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

He was arrested earlier today (July 17) by a special police team for allegedly concealing illegally imported motorcycles in a warehouse.

(Previous news 2025 July 17 – 11.42 am.)

H’tota Bird Park owner arrested

The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park was arrested in connection with the illegal importation of luxury motorcycles into Sri Lanka.

Police stated that the suspect had been evading authorities for several days. He was arrested today (17) in Colombo and is currently being held at the Maradana Police Station.

The suspect is scheduled to be presented before court today.

Earlier, police seized 21 illegally imported motorcycles – including 8 luxury bikes and 4 tricycle-type motorcycles — from a warehouse at the Hambantota Bird Park.

The raid was carried out by the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau based on information received by the Acting Inspector General of Police.

Previously, the park’s manager and warehouse supervisor were arrested and remanded until July 25 in connection with the case.

The seized motorcycles are valued at over Rs. 200 million.

Police also revealed that the suspects had previously been involved in illegal vehicle imports.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Related News :

Smuggled Harley Davidsons found in H’tota Bird Park

News

Half-naked Thai tourist in Arugam Bay: Male or female?

Published

1 hour ago

July 17, 2025

editor

A legal controversy is brewing following the sentencing of a Thai tourist in Arugam Bay, after a social media post questioned how the court interpreted gender in a topless incident involving the foreign national.

The 26-year-old Thai tourist was recently handed a suspended five-year prison sentence by the Pottuvil Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to charges of indecent behaviour and causing public disturbance.

The individual, identified in court as female, was arrested earlier this week after images emerged on social media showing the tourist walking topless near a hotel.

However, the situation has taken a new turn after a photo of the Thai national’s passport, also shared online, showed the sex listed as “M” (male) and includes the title “Mr.”, raising questions about how the court determined the offence, given that Sri Lankan law does not criminalize shirtless behaviour for men in public.

The post suggests that the ruling could highlight a legal grey area, as Sri Lankan law does not currently recognize gender identities beyond the male-female binary.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

Entertainment

SRK cancels visit to SL

Published

1 hour ago

July 17, 2025

editor

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was scheduled to perform at the launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka later this year, will not attend the event, reports say.

A statement by the organisers notes, “unfortunately due to unforeseen personal reasons beyond his control, Mr. Khan is no longer able to attend.”

“The launch event will continue as a landmark celebration, featuring an extraordinary lineup of local and international talent to be unveiled in the coming days. We are committed to making this moment a defining milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey to becoming a globally recognised destination for world-class entertainment,” the statement adds.