<ul><li>Claims three institutions have confirmed that calculation is inaccurate; Dhammika claims it the ‘biggest fraud in recent times’</li><li>Calls for Ministry of Energy to take responsibility for ‘misleading’ Government</li></ul> The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) yesterday (17) alleged that three institutions have confirmed that the calculations in the Cabinet paper pertaining to the proposed Sahasdanavi Power Plant are misleading and inaccurate.Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the Secretary to the Energy Ministry Prof. Udayanga Hemapala should accept responsibility for misleading the Cabinet and resign immediately. “The PUCSL has calculated the cost of a unit of electricity at Rs. 43.25 when LNG is used, the CEB has placed it at Rs. 37, and Sahasdanavi Limited has quoted Rs. 39.63 in a media release when capital expenditure is included. The related Cabinet paper stands in stark contrast to these figures.”He warned that regardless of whether the proposed plant is operated or not, every electricity consumer will face an increase of Rs. 1 per unit of electricity because of a Rs. 15 billion annual capacity charge. “The Government should review this Cabinet decision immediately and suspend it. The engineers preparing the Cabinet paper have deliberately omitted key cost factors. Although four criteria are required to calculate the true cost of generation, only two have been included, leaving out both the cost of restarting the plant (startup costs) and the operation and maintenance costs (O&amp;M).”Calling the agreement “the biggest fraud in recent times”, Dhammika questioned the silence of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). “It is surprising that the CIABOC is doing nothing about this. There is no point in speaking of corruption after the damage is done.”Attempts to contact Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Hemapala, and the utility regulator, PUCSL regarding the allegations made, proved futile.Civil society organisations and political party representatives recently formed a committee to examine allegations of corruption and irregularities in the power purchase agreement (PPA) in question, signed between the CEB and Sahasdanavi Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of LTL Holdings, for the development of a 350MW dual-fuel LNG power plant.

Electricity pricing: ECA disputes calculations on Sahasdanavi plant

<ul><li>7,000 meds available in market remain outside price regulation: MCPA&nbsp;</li><li>Legal action by pharma companies had stalled price control efforts, but now on track to implement controls: NMRA</li></ul> Out of nearly 7,500 medicines of various brands available in private pharmacies, only about 700 fall under price regulation, leaving patients no option but to buy the rest at high cost and placing them under severe financial pressure, according to the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA).Speaking to The Daily Morning, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that a recent gazette issued by the Ministry of Health set price limits for around 60 categories of medicines, which covered about 700 medicines across different brands.&nbsp;However, he added that more than 7,000 other medicines remained outside this regulation and were sold in pharmacies at higher prices.“The non-regulation of prices of these medicines has sharply increased the monthly expenses of patients who depend on long-term medication. The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and the Health Ministry should discuss with the relevant parties including pharmaceutical companies and make sure that these medicines are sold at affordable prices,” he added.Dr. Sanjeewa further said that with many private pharmacies facing a serious shortage of medicines at present, patients with long-term illnesses, including cancer patients, had been forced to seek supplies from abroad through personal contacts. He noted that one of the main reasons for this situation was that several leading pharmaceutical companies had already stopped their supplies and orders to Sri Lanka.When contacted by The Daily Morning, NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that several pharmaceutical companies had obtained an interim order against the price controls imposed by the NMRA, which had prevented some medicines from being regulated.&nbsp;“This interim order was lifted about two weeks ago. We are now taking steps to impose price controls on the remaining medicines,” he said.

Pharmaceuticals: Only 700 medicines under price regulation

An advanced strategy is being implemented to curtail organised crimes while replacing the existing approaches, newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said yesterday (17).&nbsp;The new IGP stressed that efforts are being made to combat crimes with the support of the armed forces and the general public.He made these remarks while speaking to the media in Kandy, where he also noted that certain organised criminal activities including drug trafficking operations have received political backing as well as certain police officers’ support. He however stressed that there is currently no political pressure on law enforcement, and that the Government fully supports taking action against criminals.“As for the shootings, we have investigated them and arrested the suspects. We are now moving forward with a more sophisticated programme. We have a plan to carry this out with the support of other institutions including the tri-forces and the public. Drug trafficking and underworld killings did not start yesterday. These activities have received political blessings, support from Police officers, involvement of tri-force personnel, and even drug addicts have been used,” he stated.The IGP further stated that many crimes are being committed by individuals based overseas, and that Sri Lanka is now working with international partners to track them down and stop their operations.

Combating organised crimes: Govt. fully supports action: IGP

<ul><li> Says Govt. has approved only 60 engineers to be hired when plans were drawn to induct 180</li><li> Critics question requirement procedure and designs to secure existing benefits</li></ul> In the wake of revelations that nearly 20% of engineers attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have migrated overseas in recent years, the CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) said, adding that the State has not allowed for adequate number of engineers to be recruited to fill the gaps.Speaking to The Daily Morning, CEBEU Vice President Eng. Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said that over 200 engineers attached to the CEB have left the country since 2023. “Some of them have resigned, and some others have gone abroad on study leave. But once they secure jobs in those countries, they tend not to return. It is experienced professionals who tend to leave, and it takes years to build that level of knowledge and expertise again.”He argued that both the previous and current Governments have not taken steps to recruit engineers to match the existing number of vacancies. Although approval has recently been granted to recruit about 60 engineers, he said that this is far from sufficient. “The initial plan was to recruit 180 engineers. However, the approval has been granted to recruit only 60. That number is not enough at all.”Because of the shortage, Parakramasinghe said that existing engineers have had to take on the responsibilities of two or three positions, leading to an unsustainable workload. “Many assume salary issues are the main reason for migration, but it is not the only issue. The job satisfaction is at a very low level. There is no recognition for our work. We do not even have time to look after our families as we have to cover up duties of multiple positions,” he opined.Energy Ministry Secretary and Acting CEB Chairperson Prof. Udayanga Hemapala was not available for comment.CEB Media Spokesperson Eng. M.H. Dhammike Wimalaratne said recently that 226 engineers of CEB have left the country since 2023. Of them, 85% were electrical engineers, 8% mechanical engineers, and 7% civil engineers.However, critics have alleged that the said recruitment of 60 engineers which has been approved by the Government has been done without proper schemes of recruitment issued by the Finance Ministry. Reports in the press yesterday (17) also point to some senior officials in the CEB, including engineers petitioning higher authorities to retain controversial benefits for their employees if the CEB is restructured.

Energy sector: Engineer shortage unaddressed

<ul><li>SJB ready to assist with protection of rights: Senanayake</li></ul> The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has stressed that the Government should look at the report issued on Sri Lanka by the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights ahead of the next UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting with an open mind, and that necessary steps should be taken if such reports discuss legitimate human rights-related concerns.This was stated by SJB Executive Committee member Mahesh Senanayake while speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (17).He added: “If such reports present legitimate human rights violations, everyone should come together to protect the human rights of Sri Lankan citizens. If any allegations are levelled against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC session, the Government should look into such concerns with an open mind and take measures to ensure the human rights of Sri Lankans.Senanayake further said that the reports showed injustice taking place against the country’s citizens, and that pointing out such matters was a positive development.&nbsp;He opined that if the present Government was failing in its duty to provide protection to citizens, at least the international community should point them out. According to him, the SJB remains ready to extend any form of assistance to protect human rights in the country.“Instead of criticising the international community, learn what can be learnt from it and serve justice to the people,” he stated.

Human rights: Approach Geneva sessions with ‘open mind’: SJB

European leaders have said they will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House today (18).Those travelling include UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte.It comes after Trump failed to reach a deal on ending the war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.The US president has since said he wants to bypass securing a ceasefire in Ukraine in favour of a permanent peace agreement.Securing a ceasefire in Ukraine had been one of Trump’s core demands before meeting Putin, but afterwards posted on social media that they “often times do not hold up” and that it would be better “to go directly to a peace agreement”.European leaders have reacted with caution to the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting, seeking not to criticise the change of direction despite their long-held support for a ceasefire. Putin reportedly presented Trump with a peace offer that would require Ukraine withdrawing from the Donetsk region of the Donbas, in return for Russia freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.Russia claims the Donbas as Russian territory, controlling most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk. It also illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, eight years before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The BBC’s US partner CBS has reported, citing diplomatic sources, that European officials were concerned Trump may try to press Zelensky into agreeing to the possible terms discussed in Alaska when they meet on Monday.Ukraine’s President has previously ruled out ceding control of the Donbas – composed of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions – saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.Von der Leyen, who is meeting Zelensky in Brussels on Sunday, wrote on X that she would join Zelensky at the White House at the Ukrainian President’s request.Macron, Rutte, Sir Keir, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni all followed in quick succession.Downing Street said in a statement that it “follows the Prime Minister commending President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, reasserting his position that the path to peace cannot be decided without President Zelensky.”Monday’s White House meeting will be Zelensky’s first since an acrimonious public exchange in the Oval Office in February, when Trump told him to be more “thankful” for US support and accused him of “gambling with World War Three” in front of the world’s media.In unprecedented scenes, Zelensky was told to leave the White House, but European leaders have since worked to repair the relationship.(BBC)

Russia-Ukraine war: European leaders to join Zelensky for US meeting

<ul><li>Claims proper plan needed to utilise allocated funds</li><li>Patients, rural hospitals facing difficulties: Dr. Sanjeewa&nbsp;</li></ul> Medical activists have urged the Government to devise a plan for the proper utilisation of funds allocated for the health sector through the budget, noting that the health sector requires a considerable amount of funds to ensure proper services.Speaking to the media, Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association (MCPA) President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that only around one-third of the funds allocated for the health sector had been used so far.&nbsp;He urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take this situation into account, and allocate the remaining funds through a proper plan to address essential and urgent health needs instead of transferring the remaining funds to the next budget.“If not, patients obtaining treatment from the health sector, from rural hospitals to national ones, will have to face huge difficulties,” he opined, adding that patients were already facing various hardships, including having to spend large amounts of money to purchase medicines from the private sector.The Minister of Health and the Ministry Secretary could not be reached for comment regarding the concerns raised by the MCPA.&nbsp;

Health sector funding: MCPA urges better fund utilisation

<ul><li> </li><li>439 with outstanding warrants taken into custody</li><li>Over 26,000 persons questioned or checked</li></ul>A total of 609 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in criminal activities as well as illicit liquor and drug-related offences during a special islandwide operation conducted last Saturday (16).As part of the operation, 26,607 people had been subjected to inspection and questioning, the Police Media Division said.The Police has identified 21 individuals directly linked to criminal activities, while 439 suspects with outstanding warrants were also arrested during the operation. According to reports, a total of 74 drunk drivers were apprehended, while 115 reckless drivers and 3,539 persons who violated various other traffic offences were identified.According to the Police, operations are being carried out islandwide to apprehend small-, medium-, and large-scale drug traffickers, individuals involved in criminal activities, and those in possession of illegal firearms.

Police operations: 609 more suspects nabbed

<ul><li> Claims the MOH has promised to address the issue and the process is ongoing</li></ul> The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) stated that it expects the Ministry of Health to provide solutions to the problems surrounding medical officer transfers and appointment lists as promised.Speaking to The Daily Morning, GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said: “There is a process that is going on now. We hope the Health Ministry will address the issues as promised. We expect that the ministry officials will not change their stance in the middle of this.”The GMOA had earlier warned that it would launch an islandwide strike on 11 August unless the Health Ministry resolved what it described as unlawful transfers and errors in the appointment lists. The issues, according to the union, affect about 23,000 doctors, including 10,000 who have already been granted transfers but are unable to move, as well as 1,004 post-intern doctors whose placements have been mishandled.The union also claimed that some vacancies listed in hospitals were for units that do not exist, and that reductions in the ‘Difficult station transfer list’ had put nearly 200 hospitals at risk of closure. It called for urgent corrective action on the ‘Post-intern vacancy list’, the ‘Difficult station list’, and the ‘Annual transfer list’ for this year.At a meeting with the GMOA’s executive committee on 8 August, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had promised to act on the requests made. Following further discussions, the GMOA suspended its strike action scheduled for 11 August, saying the minister’s responses had been constructive and that solutions were expected to follow.

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Pharmaceuticals: Only 700 medicines under price regulation

Pharmaceuticals: Only 700 medi ...

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Pharmaceuticals: Only 700 medicines under price regulation

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