<ul><li>CEB proposes retaining existing rates with no change</li><li>CEB forecasts Rs. 38,917 m deficit despite no tariff increase</li><li>PUCSL critiques CEB’s fuel price assumptions, revenue projections</li><li>PUCSL sees Rs. 27.6 b savings with lower fuel prices</li></ul> The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has proposed an 11% reduction in electricity tariffs, directly opposing the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) recommendation of no tariff changes.The PUCSL has outlined its position in a report submitted for public consultation on electricity tariff revisions for January 2025.According to the commission, the reduction is achievable without jeopardising the energy sector’s financial stability.The CEB has forecast its total energy costs, encompassing generation, capacity, transmission, and distribution, at Rs. 274,982 million, while projecting total revenue of Rs. 236,065 million, leaving a revenue deficit of Rs. 38,917 million.Adjustments based on forecasts for Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) and hydro generation reduce this deficit to Rs. 16,451 million.The PUCSL’s analysis, which includes adjustments for fuel prices and a more comprehensive assessment of the revenue gap, aligns with the reduced deficit figure of Rs. 16,451 million. This analysis also supports the feasibility of a tariff reduction of approximately 11.84%.The tariff review process, mandated under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.20 of 2009, commenced with the PUCSL’s call for proposals, leading to the CEB submitting its tariff revision plan on 6 December.Stakeholders are invited to provide written feedback by 8 January 2025, with oral consultations scheduled from 27 December this year to 10 January 2025 across various provinces. The consultations will focus on the generation mix, fuel costs, hydro and NCRE generation, transmission and distribution costs, and the proposed tariff structure.The PUCSL has also detailed revenue discrepancies for the first half of 2024 (H1 2024) in accordance with Clauses 2.5.3 and 2.5.4 of the tariff methodology.During this period, the actual energy generation, adjusted for approved transmission losses, amounted to 7,995.52 GWh. The approved Bulk Supply Tariff (BST) energy rate for H1 2024 was Rs. 21.75/kWh, whereas the actual rate was Rs. 19.54/kWh, resulting in a revenue difference of Rs. 17,670.10 million.For capacity rates, the average monthly peak demand during H1 2024 was 2,659 MW, with an approved BST capacity rate of Rs. 4,737,913.25/MW/month. The actual rate was Rs. 3,267,001/MW/month, leading to a revenue difference of Rs. 23,466.93 million. Together, the energy and capacity rate discrepancies created a total revenue shortfall of Rs. 41,137.03 million for H1 2024.The PUCSL has allowed an additional Rs. 8,000 million for generation cost variations in 2024, allocating Rs. 4,000 million for January to June 2024.&nbsp;This adjustment is factored into the total cost to be recovered through end-user tariffs but is not reflected in the BST. Consequently, the total revenue difference for H1 2024 increases to Rs. 45,137 million.The PUCSL has also identified potential reductions in thermal generation costs, estimating that prices for naphtha and furnace oil from the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery could be lower than the forecasts submitted by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).&nbsp;If the CPC provides updated data consistent with the calculation method used in June 2022, adjusted for current crude oil prices and exchange rates, generation energy costs could decrease by approximately Rs. 27.6 billion.The absence of formal fuel supply agreements between the CEB and CPC remains a critical issue, despite repeated directives from the PUCSL. This lack of agreements allows the CPC to adjust naphtha and furnace oil prices arbitrarily, which the CEB accepts without negotiation.&nbsp;Furthermore, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), a byproduct of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery with minimal commercial value, is being supplied to the Sapugaskanda Power Plant at commercial fuel oil prices of Rs. 179 per litre.&nbsp;For January to June 2025, 81 million litres of HFO are scheduled for supply, contingent on sufficient refinery production, as stated by the PUCSL.The PUCSL has also noted inconsistencies in the CEB’s hydro generation forecasts, observing that seasonal variations deviated from historical trends and that hydro generation was under-forecast. PUCSL operates with only 3 commissionersOnly three out of five members nominated for the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) have so far accepted their nominations, The Sunday Morning reliably learns.PUCSL Corporate Communications Director Jayanat Herath said that despite the omission of two members, the commission could convene meetings and carry out pending work with the three members, as the commission would still have a quorum.&nbsp;He stressed that all pending approvals would be submitted to the commission and in its first meeting, to be held next week, they would go through the proposals and make decisions.Last week, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Spokesman Eng. Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said that several Renewable Energy (RE) projects were also pending approval from the PUCSL.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the new tariff proposal submitted by the board is also under the PUCSL’s purview.&nbsp;Herath stated that the commission would proceed with the electricity tariff revisions, with the final decision to be announced in January as previously planned.&nbsp;As learnt by The Sunday Morning, the PUCSL has not met for over three months.The PUCSL, which regulates key sectors such as electricity, water, and transport, is mandated to have five members, including experts in engineering, law, and business management, as per the PUCSL Act No.35 of 2002.&nbsp;Section 3 of the act specifies the composition of the commission, while Section 5 outlines the procedures for filling vacancies within three months of their occurrence.As previously reported, the Constitutional Council had approved the appointment of five new members to the PUCSL during a meeting held on 16 November.&nbsp;The appointees are Prof. K.P. Lalith Chandralal, Prof. W.B.A. Rodrigo, Dr. M.P.S. Fernando, P. Hennayake, and High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi.– By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Electricity tariff: PUCSL pushes for 11% cut

<ul><li>No violation of law in fund transactions: Senior official</li><li>Each transaction monitored by AG, subject to accounting practices</li><li>Final authority to release funds lies with Prez</li></ul> The Government will this week release the names of individuals who have received substantial amounts of money from the President’s Fund, The Sunday Morning learns.However, The Sunday Morning also learns that the Government has not made any request thus far to amend the laws governing the President’s Fund.&nbsp;When reached for comment, Ministry of Justice Secretary Ayesha Jinasena, PC stated that she was unable to provide an immediate response, as she would need to review her files before commenting further.In a statement to Parliament on Tuesday (17), Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa revealed the names of politicians who had received funds from the President’s Fund between 2005 and 2024.&nbsp;While some of these funds had been requested for medical purposes, the Minister questioned the justification for such large amounts being drawn by politicians.The list of recipients includes P. Harrison, Piyasena Gamage, Sumedha Jayasena, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratna, S.C. Muthukumarana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Sarath Amunugama, S.B. Nawinna, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Piyal Nishantha de Silva, Susil Premajayantha, Isura Devapriya, S.A. Jagath Kumara, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, Jayalath Jayawardana, Namal Gunawardana, Dharmadasa Banda, Vidura Wickramanayake, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, P. Chandrasekaran, John Amaratunga, Joseph Michael Perera, T.B. Ekanayake, W.M.S. Fonseka, Jayantha Weerasinghe, Alick Aluwihare, Ranjith Aluwihare, Rajitha Senaratne, Keheliya Rambukwella, M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena, Ranjith Soysa, and D.M. Jayaratne.&nbsp;Minister Jayatissa expressed concerns over the large sums involved and assured that further investigation into these payments was underway.Meanwhile, former MP Manoj Sirisena has clarified that he never received Rs. 300,000 from the President’s Fund, despite a statement by Minister Jayatissa in Parliament claiming otherwise.&nbsp;Sirisena explained that he had been severely injured in a 2009 suicide bomb attack and spent Rs. 4.5 million on treatment. He requested that his name be removed from the list of those who had allegedly received the funds and asked Dr. Jayatissa to correct the statement, stressing the importance of accuracy in parliamentary remarks.A senior official attached to the President’s Fund revealed yesterday that all transactions carried out by the fund were subjected to stringent Government auditing processes.&nbsp;The official, who requested to remain anonymous, clarified that every transaction made by the fund had to be approved by both the President and the President’s Secretary.&nbsp;Additionally, these transactions are closely monitored and audited by the Government to ensure full compliance with legal and financial regulations.According to the official, between 2005 and 2024, only around 34 individuals have had transactions processed through the President’s Fund, with just five persons named between 2022 and 2024, emphasising the fund’s selective and controlled disbursement process.The official said that no laws had been violated in transactions exceeding Rs. 1 million, as these funds could only be transferred with the President’s approval.&nbsp;“The process is designed to ensure that funds are used for their intended purpose, with strict documentation required from applicants. In cases of medical assistance, for instance, applicants must submit recommendations from doctors and estimates from banks, along with certifications from local officials such as the Grama Sevaka and District Secretary.”For added accountability, the official stressed that when funds were transferred directly to applicants, the transaction was conducted solely through banks. Furthermore, the official said that all transactions were fully recorded in the system, making it easy to retrieve and review the details at any time.A significant change in the processing time of transactions was also revealed. While it previously took up to one year to complete a transaction, since 2022, the processing time has been expedited to just three days after the submission of the request.According to the official, one of the most recent transactions involved a Rs. 5 million grant to actress Malini Fonseka for urgent medical treatment she needed.The funds, which were part of a larger Rs. 15 million requirement, had been transferred to the Sri Lankan High Commission in India, where a guarantee letter had been issued to the hospital.&nbsp;The official confirmed that when funds were needed for foreign medical treatments, they were sent directly to the respective Sri Lankan mission, ensuring oversight and proper allocation.These procedures, the official reiterated, were part of a robust system designed to ensure that every transaction was subject to thorough auditing and accountability by the Government.Last week, Minister Jayatissa confirmed that the list would include politicians and other figures who had obtained large sums from the fund.Dr. Jayatissa previously disclosed some names in Parliament, but emphasised that further investigation was underway to identify more recipients, particularly during the tenure of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.&nbsp;“We are working to gather more documents and will release additional names soon,” he said.The release will also include details about politicians – including Pradeshiya Sabha members, chairmen, Provincial Council members, and ministers – who have benefited from the fund. Minister Jayatissa assured that the full list would be made public once the investigation was complete.The Minister also revealed that some individuals, particularly politicians, had received more than Rs. 10 million in a single transaction, with some funds distributed through cash cheques. In contrast, ordinary citizens typically receive smaller amounts, usually around Rs. 500,000 in multiple instalments.Meanwhile, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe clarified that during his tenure from 2022 to September this year, all private requests for medical assistance from public representatives had been processed under the standard administrative procedures of the President’s Fund. He stated that, except for one case, no individual had received more than Rs. 1 million in financial aid.Notable disbursements during this period included Rs. 1 million for heart surgery for former Western Province Chief Minister E.A. Isura Devapriya Perera at Nawaloka Hospital, Rs. 500,000 for heart surgery for former MP U. Sarath Kongahage at Lanka Hospitals, Rs. 400,000 for hearing aids for former MP S.C. Muthukumarana, and Rs. 1 million for heart surgery for former MP S.A. Jagath Kumara at Asiri Hospital.Additionally, veteran actress Malini Fonseka had been provided Rs. 5 million through the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Chennai for treatment at Apollo Hospital in India.Wickremesinghe explained that this support had been extended in recognition of Fonseka’s exceptional contributions to the local arts and cinema industry. He also noted that several other artists had received similar assistance over the past two years.Wickremesinghe further noted that, over the last two years, the President’s Fund had disbursed substantial financial aid exceeding Rs. 100 million for medical treatments, including support for patients and children requiring critical care.Meanwhile, according to the National Audit Office (NAO) report on the President’s Fund (latest available), a total of 6,214 patients had sought medical assistance during the year under review for treatments related to heart surgeries, cancer, knee and groin diseases, kidney conditions, brain-related illnesses, and other medical needs.However, payments for medical assistance had been made to only 1,322 patients, a decrease from 1,684 patients who received payments in the previous year. This represents a decline of 362 patients, or 21%, compared to the preceding year.Furthermore, when compared to 2019, the number of patients receiving medical assistance payments had decreased by 5,064 – a significant reduction of 79%, according to the report.

President’s Fund: More names to be revealed this week

<ul><li>Chinese Exim Bank released $ 1 b for CEP in 2018</li><li>Proposal for release of Rs. 7.5 b sent to Cabinet in Oct.</li></ul> The Road Development Authority (RDA) is still struggling to mobilise Chinese funding approved and released for the construction of Section I of the Central Expressway Project (CEP).&nbsp;&nbsp;In October, the former Ministry of Transport and Highways put out a Cabinet paper seeking approval for Rs. 7.5 billion to be received for Section I.&nbsp;Nevertheless, as reliably learnt by The Sunday Morning, the RDA is yet to receive the funds to re-commence the project.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2018, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan informed then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the Chinese Government had approved $ 1 billion in funding for the first phase of the CEP.The 36.5 kilometre stretch from Kadawatha to Mirigama, initially contracted to the Metallurgical Corporation of China in 2015, was expected to cost approximately Rs. 158 million, funded primarily through a loan from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China.&nbsp;As reliably learnt by The Sunday Morning, prolonged delays in finalising loan conditions and the Government’s inability to meet its share of 15% of the total loan amount had resulted in substantial cost overruns.As a result of the delays, the projected expenditure for Section I has escalated from $ 158 million to $ 194 million by 2020, resulting in the Government having to pay an additional Rs. 8 billion advance, which had been paid in 2020, to activate the Chinese loan.&nbsp;The planned four-year project began in 2020 but was quickly suspended due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.The RDA yesterday (21) said that it had no plans to abandon any of its ongoing expressway development projects, despite issues raised by sparse funding.When contacted by The Sunday Morning, RDA Director General S.M.P. Suriyabandara attributed the delay in expressway construction to the lack of investors.At present, the authority is seeking to finalise the existing funding arrangement for the CEP.“In order to reap the maximum benefit from this project, we must complete all four links,” Suriyabandara said. “As such, CEP’s Section I (CEP1) is our number one priority at the moment.”As of now, CEP’s Section II from Mirigama to Kurunegala remains the only section that has been completed out of the four main sections. The construction of the Pothuhera to Galagedara section (Section III) is also currently progressing.The ‘Proposed CEP: Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report’ (May 2016) highlights the details of the CEP. The report was submitted to the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment by the RDA.&nbsp;The total length of the expressway from Kadawatha to Dambulla is 136.9 km and goes through four districts – Gampaha, Kurunegala, Kegalle, and Matale. There will be 14 interchanges within the expressway, including three system interchanges (Kadawatha, Wilwatta, and Pothuhera) and 12 service interchanges, including Ambepussa Junction.Suriyabandara said that the RDA was struggling with the construction of CEP1 due to issues with Chinese funds and that the Pothuhera to Galagedara section was being funded by the Government of Sri Lanka.He said that the RDA was also working on other projects such as the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway funded by the Asian Development Bank, which was almost completed, while the Ruwanpura Expressway Project was under suspension.At present, the RDA has around 16 ongoing projects, including initiatives such as the Extension of Southern Expressway Project (ESEP), Outer Circular Highway Project Phase III, and the World Bank-funded Transport Connectivity and Asset Management Project.According to Suriyabandara, the authority is extending its full focus towards completing development projects commenced earlier.President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had stressed the importance of completing the unfinished sections of the Central Expressway under Chinese management during a meeting with Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Vice Chairperson Qin Boyong, held last week at the Parliamentary Complex.He expressed hopes of expediting the commencement of these projects, underscoring their significance for Sri Lanka’s development.&nbsp;Qin reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and noted plans to collaborate on advancing infrastructure projects like the Central Expressway.&nbsp;

Central Expressway Project Section I: RDA struggles to get Chinese funds

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is yet to receive formal notification regarding the changes to Withholding Tax (WHT) and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) Tax announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament last week.“Until we receive official communication, the IRD cannot provide detailed guidance or implement the proposed changes,” IRD Commissioner General Sepalika Chandrasekara stated.Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma explained that the proposed changes were set to take effect after the approval of the budget for 2025.The announcement on the new PAYE Tax threshold has sparked mixed reactions, with critics claiming it imposes a greater burden on the majority.&nbsp;However, Suriyapperuma dismissed such criticisms as baseless, emphasising that the revised policy would benefit the majority of taxpayers by ensuring lower contributions for those with moderate incomes.When asked if the proposed changes would lead to an increase or decrease in tax revenue, Chandrasekara refrained from commenting, citing that she had not analysed the proposed changes yet.Speaking to The Sunday Morning on how these changes would impact Government income, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa said: “The impact of raising the income threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 can be set off by the WHT increase from 5% to 10%. Although fewer people will now be paying tax, those who pay will be paying higher taxes. Therefore I do not think there will be a significant impact on tax revenue.”&nbsp;

WHT and PAYE Tax: IRD awaits official alert on changes

The foreign exchange allocated for vehicle imports will be decided based on the foreign exchange reserves the Government will have by February next year, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Finance who wished to remain anonymous.The official stated that the phased approach of opening up vehicle import restrictions reflected the Government’s cautious balancing of economic recovery and foreign exchange management, with Phases II and III contingent on reserve levels and economic conditions.The official declined to provide further details, stating that official decisions would be duly published.Nevertheless, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena said that Phase I – comprising the import of buses – had already commenced and that by February 2025, Phase II, the import of personal use vehicles, would recommence.“The Government has begun easing the temporary suspension on motor vehicle imports, which was implemented in 2020 to safeguard foreign reserves during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturn,” he said.Gunasena also pointed out that the phased approach, regulations, and timeline for opening up the restrictions had been decided by the Ministry of Finance.Phase I of the relaxation, approved on 13 September, permits the import of buses, special-purpose vehicles, and non-motorised wheeled items under 52 combined classification codes.&nbsp;This move follows economic recovery and stabilisation of foreign reserves, with regulations detailed in Gazette Notification No.2415/35 released on Wednesday (18).Strict conditions have been imposed to manage imports.&nbsp;Imported vehicles must be registered with the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) within 90 days of the Customs declaration, with penalties for non-compliance.Vehicles intended for sale cannot be registered under the name of the importers and must be sold to end users.&nbsp;Importers who fail to register more than 25% of their vehicles within the stipulated time frame of six months will face a 36-month import ban, a press release by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development noted.Additionally, vehicles imported in violation of regulations must be re-exported within 90 days at the importer’s expense. Only new and unused vehicles are allowed and vehicle age will be calculated from the manufacture date to the bill of lading.&nbsp;“These measures aim to prevent excessive vehicle imports that could strain foreign reserves and lead to stockpiling,” Gunasena said.&nbsp;

Vehicle imports: Feb. forex reserves to direct allocation

Several high-profile urban development projects have been halted midway due to various challenges despite significant financial investment, an audit report from the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing has revealed.The report highlighted that the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, which began on 10 July 2012 and was originally scheduled for completion by 30 June 2017, had faced multiple delays, with the latest deadline extended to 30 June 2022.However, even by the extended deadline, only 49% of the allocated funds had been utilised.&nbsp;The project had been stalled after legal action from nearby apartment residents, with construction on the Norris Canal being halted.The project aimed at reducing flooding in the Colombo Water Basin, strengthening Local Government capacity, and beautifying the city.&nbsp;The total allocated budget was $ 213 million, with the Government contributing 93% of the funding.&nbsp;In late 2022, the contract for this development had been mutually terminated, with plans for the Colombo Municipal Council to complete the remaining work.&nbsp;The audit recommends implementing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to achieve the project’s intended benefits.Additionally, the Urban Project Preparatory Facility (UPPF) Project has also faced significant setbacks.&nbsp;Initially scheduled to run from 6 March 2019 to 31 March 2022, with a loan amount of $ 4.65 million, only 38% of the funds had been spent by December 2022.The project’s operations had been suspended in August 2020 and key reports had not been received as planned.&nbsp;The project’s completion date had been extended to 31 March 2024, but no detailed action plan had been developed to address the delays or complete the remaining tasks.The audit report urged decisive action to address the delays and complete the remaining work to achieve the intended benefits.Attempts to reach the Urban Development Authority for more details were unsuccessful, as Chairman Eng. L.B. Kumudu Lal was out of office and unavailable for comment.

Urban development: Several foreign-funded projects halted midway

Environmentalists have raised serious concerns about the actions being taken by the Government to address the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka.Following the relocation of elephants to Yala and the announcement by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala that all elephants in the Kurunegala District would be moved to national parks through a military operation and confined there, environmentalists have expressed concerns about the safety of the animals while questioning the overall effectiveness of this approach.Over the past few decades, the Government’s approach has remained largely unchanged, continuing to push elephants into increasingly smaller pockets of forest cover, thereby creating unsustainable conditions for the animals.&nbsp;This is primarily done through elephant drives, which involve large groups of people walking through forests to chase the elephants away with loud noises, including firecrackers and the firing of gunshots into the sky.&nbsp;Additionally, electric fences are constructed along the boundaries of these protected areas to prevent the elephants from returning to their original habitats.Commenting on Government measures, senior environmental lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardana said that the animals first become frightened and are driven away with loud firecrackers that harm their hearing due to which they end up deaf as well, while the stress and injuries sustained may induce other problems and sometimes lead to the death of the animal as well.Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) Immediate Past President Jehan CanagaRetna noted that elephant drives had not been successful in the past.“When you conduct an elephant drive, it is necessary to collar the leader of the herd to monitor the movements of the herd. In the past, elephant drives have not been very successful, with collared elephants often returning to the locations they were driven from,” he said.During the Mahaweli Development Project – a programme launched in the 1960s to develop agricultural land and establish hydroelectric power facilities, spanning 39% of the country’s area – the Wildlife Department carried out a massive elephant drive.This effort relocated 130 elephants to the Wilpattu National Park, but about 50 of them eventually returned to their original habitat.&nbsp;Similarly, in 1988, 150 elephants were moved to the Maduru Oya National Park, yet over 100 made their way back.&nbsp;While no large-scale drives have been conducted since 2006, smaller-scale operations are carried out in response to public complaints, which only increase the aggressiveness of elephants and expose them to extreme stress.He stressed that ad hoc elephant drives were not effective and science should be at the forefront if an elephant drive was necessary. Additionally, he noted that elephants should not be driven into a national park to the point where its carrying capacity is exceeded.“There is a carrying capacity; that is, the maximum number of elephants a national park can support based on available food sources,” he explained.CanagaRetna strongly discouraged the use of elephant drives on an ad hoc basis, instead advocating a review of the national action plan and its recommendations. He also called for the reappointment of a committee to oversee these efforts.“If there is still a need to carry out a drive, they should collar one or two elephants during its process to monitor and understand what happens after the drive,” he suggested.He further recommended that the Minister appoint an advisory committee that has evidence-based knowledge to help make the appropriate decision, taking HEC issues into consideration.Meanwhile, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, via an official letter, to put an immediate end to informal practices across the country that are harming wildlife and to adopt a more scientific approach to environmental management.In the letter, the CEJ proposed convening a high-level discussion involving environmentalists, relevant Government agencies, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive programme. This initiative aims to build consensus and lay the groundwork for effective action.&nbsp;The CEJ also stressed the urgent need to halt illegal activities such as elephant hunting and the trapping of elephants and other wildlife.“Recently, protests have been taking place in different areas, seemingly led by people connected to the current Government. Using these protests, politicians and their supporters, along with district and divisional secretaries, are carrying out unplanned and unscientific activities.&nbsp;“These include chasing away elephants and capturing them without approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Such actions put both people and animals in danger. There are also reports that the lands cleared of elephants might be given for commercial use,” CEJ Senior Adviser Hemantha Withanage said.He said that these activities contradicted the National Environmental Policy introduced by the President through the National People’s Power movement.Withanage urged the Government to address this issue as a priority, protect the lives of wildlife, and heed the advice of scientists, experts, and environmentalists in resolving conflicts between farming communities and wildlife.

Human-Elephant Conflict: Environmentalists slam Govt.’s control tactics

<ul><li>Independent comm. appointed to assess, recommend solutions</li></ul> The Government is expected to make an urgent decision on whether to revert to the old Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) system or proceed with the implementation of the e-passport system, as passport stocks continue to deplete.The decision is pressing, according to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, who added that the limited availability of passports was threatening to disrupt the issuance process.With the expiry of the interim order from the Court of Appeal, the Government is now in a position to make a final decision on the matter.Minister Wijepala confirmed that an independent expert committee had been appointed to assess the situation and provide recommendations.This follows a series of high-level meetings chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to evaluate the complexities surrounding the ongoing legal challenges to the e-passport tender.The contract for the e-passport system, awarded to Thales in Finland and its local partner Just In Time (JIT) Technologies, has been contested by the losing bidder Epic Lanka Ltd., resulting in ongoing litigation that has delayed progress.Minister Wijepala warned that issuing a new tender could require changes to the passport series, which may complicate border control systems.&nbsp;“A country can’t keep changing its passport all the time,” he said. “With the current stock of passports running low, we are pressed to make a decision soon.”Attempts to contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration for updated information on available passport stocks were unsuccessful.&nbsp;The Government is under growing pressure to finalise its decision, as further delays could impact passport issuance and national security operations.

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