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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikkar criticised the National People’s Power government in Parliament yesterday (20) following Sri Lanka’s second nationwide power outage in recent months.

Highlighting the severe disruption caused when a total grid collapse left 22 million citizens without electricity for roughly six hours, he said that two nationwide blackouts under the NPP government have exposed serious failures in national grid management.

He claimed that financial losses from power sector mismanagement have also mounted rapidly alongside the administrative failures surrounding these blackouts.

Marikkar pointed out that the current administration experienced its first total grid failure in February 2025, after which an official investigative committee issued clear recommendations to prevent future system collapses.

He demanded that the Energy Minister inform Parliament whether those corrective measures were ever put into practice, accusing the government of total indifference.

Turnaround costs and operational failures related to coal procurement have further compounded the crisis.

Marikkar revealed that the import of substandard coal alone caused a direct loss of over Rs. 18 billion, while an extra Rs. 26 million was spent on third party laboratory testing for six coal shipments.

Furthermore, the reliance on inferior coal forced the government to spend over Rs. 20 billion on emergency supplementary power purchases between January and September.

He asserted that the combined financial damage from these procurement decisions is double the loss recorded during the Central Bank bond scandal.

Sri Lanka has suffered a staggering financial loss exceeding Rs. 18 billion as a result of emergency coal procurements and the burning of low-quality fuel stocks, according to details disclosed in Parliament on Tuesday.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikkar presented the findings from a parliamentary investigation that uncovered widespread systemic failures and lack of quality controls within the state energy sector.

The figures were compiled following an inquiry by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, which examined an official probe led by the Ministry of Power into uninspected coal shipments.

*Severe breakdown in thermal power output*

The investigative findings reveal that the reliance on substandard coal severely impacted national grid generation capacity, forcing expensive emergency interventions.

Reductions in power output led to a 300-megawatt deficit that compelled power authorities to purchase alternative electricity at an extra cost of Rs. 8.5 billion.

Physical damage to generation infrastructure required an additional Rs. 80.4 million in maintenance, alongside Rs. 13.1 million spent on clearing unexpected volumes of excess ash.

Direct losses stemming strictly from the inferior quality of the imported coal were calculated at nearly 7.1 billion rupees.

*Emergency procurement penalties*

Further financial hemorrhaging occurred through rushed supply contracts and logistical delays at ports.

Emergency procurements covering five specific coal shipments created a loss of 2.28 billion rupees, whilst demurrage and related delays for an urgent cargo added a further Rs. 402.8 million to the public bill.

Marikkar said that current estimates remain incomplete because they omit government diesel subsidies and operational losses absorbed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

Relevant state entities have now received directives to calculate these missing financial figures to determine the final cost borne by taxpayers.

A timekeeping officer attached to the Gampaha Regional Office of the Road Passenger Transport Authority has been arrested over allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 100 from a bus employee.

The arrest was made yesterday (20) at around 12.25 p.m. by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) inside the suspect’s office booth at the Raddolugama bus stand.

According to the allegations, the officer had solicited and accepted the money from an employee of a bus operating on Route No. 188 between Raddolugama and Colombo.

The bribe was allegedly requested in exchange for allowing the bus to begin its scheduled journey later than the stipulated departure time and permitting it to commence the journey under favourable conditions.

The arrested officer is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

UNP Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando said that women lack political awareness and are easily deceived.

Speaking to reporters, the former minister defended his controversial stance whilst offering a wide-ranging critique of current governance and opposition strategies, noting that female voters hold a degree of responsibility for the political decisions that led to existing governance challenges across Sri Lanka.

Rejecting calls for an immediate alliance between major opposition factions, Fernando insisted that the United National Party must preserve its independent identity rather than rush into a coalition with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

He outlined plans for a nationwide organizational campaign coinciding with the upcoming 80th anniversary of the party, expressing confidence that his team could deliver results if given leadership responsibilities by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing his recent political silence, he likened his faction to uprooted weeds that have made space for new cultivation, explaining that they are now waiting to observe the outcome of the newly established political landscape.

Fernando said that the government continues to conduct itself like an opposition body instead of delivering tangible progress.

Whilst recognizing that female supporters form a vital backbone for the ruling administration, he asserted that broader political consensus is essential to steering the country forward.

On the topic of urban transit, he acknowledged the continuation of the Metro Bus scheme originally launched under the previous presidency, though he criticized the overall pace of implementation as far too sluggish.

The cremation ceremony of the Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thero, Anunayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Getambe Rajopavanaramaya in Kandy, will be held today (21) at 2.00 p.m. at the Getambe Municipal Sports Ground under state patronage.

The late Thero played a significant role in the revival of Buddhism and culture in Sri Lanka, with the Getambe Rajopavanaramaya serving as the focal point of his religious and cultural activities.

His remains have been placed at the temple, where devotees and members of the public have been given the opportunity to pay their final respects.

According to Venerable Akurasse Siridhamma Wimala Thero, the custodian of the Getambe Rajopavanaramaya, religious observances are scheduled to begin at approximately 12.30 p.m.

The ceremonies will include members of the Maha Sangha offering robes in honour of the late Thero, followed by the traditional water-pouring ritual and the transfer of merits.

Upon completion of the religious rites, the remains will be taken from the temple to the Getambe Municipal Sports Ground for the cremation ceremony.

The final rites will be conducted under the patronage of senior prelates, including the Mahanayaka and Anunayaka Theros representing Sri Lanka’s three Buddhist chapters, alongside members of the Maha Sangha.

Opposition lawmaker Ajith P. Perera has filed a Special Determination petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian submitted the legal challenge in Colombo following the placement of the controversial counter-terrorism legislation on the parliamentary Order Paper on 6 October.

The legal petition challenges several core provisions of the proposed law on the grounds that they infringe upon fundamental rights and judicial authority guaranteed under the constitution.

Primary objections focus on statutory restrictions that strip Magistrates of their traditional powers to grant bail, shifting that sole discretionary power to the High Court.

The application further raises concerns over powers that would allow the relevant ministry secretary to order individuals into rehabilitation programmes without formal criminal charges or court convictions.

The petition also seeks to strike down broad restriction orders that could legally prohibit citizens from associating with persons or organizations merely suspected of committing an offence under the act.

The lawmaker is asking the apex court to rule that clauses 26, 27, 28, 29, 60, and 68 violate sovereign popular rights protected under articles three and four of the constitution.

Sri Lanka’s emerging energy engagement with Azerbaijan demands scrutiny beyond diplomatic photographs and official statements. At a time when the Middle East crisis threatens energy-market stability and major powers compete for influence over strategic resources, Colombo must demonstrate that its outreach to Baku is a carefully calculated economic strategy rather than another diplomatic initiative without a clear commercial destination.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the CICA summit on October 14 and 15, 2026, placed energy cooperation alongside discussions on trade, investment and tourism. Engagement with Central Asian economies could broaden Sri Lanka’s economic options. But the government has yet to establish publicly, in the information provided, whether the talks have produced concrete supply commitments, financing arrangements or a timetable for implementation.

That information gap is critical when every additional dollar spent on energy affects Sri Lanka’s fragile external finances.

The Middle East crisis has demonstrated how quickly geopolitical instability can translate into higher oil prices, disrupted shipping, rising insurance premiums and renewed inflationary pressure. Sri Lanka, heavily dependent on imported petroleum, remains exposed to these external shocks regardless of where its suppliers are located.

Azerbaijan could potentially offer another source of supply, but diversification must be assessed in practical terms. Can its producers supply the quantities and specifications required by Sri Lanka? Can shipments reach the island at competitive costs? Would payment arrangements protect scarce foreign exchange? And could supply remain reliable during a wider international confrontation?

Without answers, the promise of energy cooperation risks becoming a headline rather than a solution.

The American dimension also warrants careful examination. The United States exercises substantial influence through financial institutions, dollar-based transactions, sanctions enforcement and international diplomatic relationships. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, needs foreign investment, access to international capital and continued cooperation with development partners while implementing economic reforms.

Nevertheless, there is no evidence in the supplied information establishing that Washington has directly pressured Sri Lanka to abandon energy cooperation with Azerbaijan. Treating such pressure as an established fact would confuse geopolitical possibility with documented policy. The government should clarify whether it has received any relevant diplomatic representations and whether proposed transactions raise identifiable sanctions or compliance concerns.

The challenge is to preserve strategic independence without creating avoidable financial or diplomatic exposure. Sri Lanka should neither reject commercially attractive Azerbaijani opportunities merely because of geopolitical sensitivities nor pursue them to demonstrate defiance towards another power.

The absence of publicly specified commercial terms is particularly concerning given the country's recent experience with foreign exchange shortages, costly emergency procurement and energy-sector vulnerabilities. Any new arrangement should disclose the procurement process, pricing formula, delivery obligations, payment conditions and allocation of commercial risks, subject to legitimate confidentiality requirements.

Parliamentary oversight and independent technical assessment should precede substantial commitments. Comparisons with alternative suppliers must include the full landed cost, not merely the quoted oil price. The government should also examine whether existing refining facilities can efficiently process the proposed crude grades.

Meanwhile, discussions with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan should be assessed individually rather than presented collectively as evidence of immediate economic transformation.

Sri Lanka needs more diplomatic options, not more diplomatic promises. The Azerbaijan initiative will deserve public confidence only when it produces verifiable commercial benefits, protects consumers and strengthens energy security without compromising the country's wider international relationships.

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has condemned the government's decision to seek legal counsel from the Attorney General regarding a no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, describing the move as unprecedented in Sri Lankan legislative history.

Speaking in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilleka expressed concern over delays in scheduling a debate on the motion submitted by 44 Opposition lawmakers on 9 October.

The submission was made jointly by parliamentarians representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the New Democratic Front, and several independent groups.

The motion contains severe allegations against Speaker Wickramaratne, citing reported violations of the Constitution, the Anti-Corruption Act, the Offences Against Public Property Act, the Penal Code, the Right to Information Act, the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, and Parliamentary Standing Orders.

According to Karunathilleka, the Parliamentary Secretary-General Kushani Rohanadheera confirmed that referral to the Attorney General had no historical precedent in Sri Lankan parliamentary procedure.

The Opposition Chief Whip questioned the sudden appearance of alleged technical defects in the motion, noting that Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake had initially signaled readiness to proceed with the debate at the earliest possible date.

Karunathilleka suggested that technical objections only emerged after the Opposition rejected a proposed one-day debate and requested a broader two or three-day proceeding to properly address the charges.

While acknowledging that the ruling party has not explicitly refused to hold a debate, he urged authorities not to use the legal consultation process as a tactic to stall proceedings indefinitely.

Veteran photojournalist Thilak Perera, Pictures Editor of Lake House, has died after a brief illness, a month before his 60th birthday.

Perera passed away yesterday (20), having spent more than three decades with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), the publisher of the Daily News and the Sunday Observer.

Perera rose from trainee photojournalist to become the head of the Lake House pictures desk.

He was first made chief photographer at the Sunday Observer, where he handled news, sports, entertainment and travel assignments, and was later promoted to Pictures Editor.

During the war years, he travelled to the frontlines with reporters from the Daily News and the Sunday Observer.

His task was to record some of the most intense moments on the battlefield.

Perera's reputation as a travel photographer was made at the Rasanduna tabloid, which was part of the Silumina.

His images of Sri Lanka’s best-known tourist attractions and its wildlife appeared on many of its covers.

Before that, he was recruited to the Sarasaviya film weekly by its then editor, the veteran journalist Thilakaratna Kuruwita Bandara.

He photographed numerous Sarasaviya covers and built close ties with the film industry, where leading directors, producers and actors knew him on first name terms. He also worked as a stills photographer on many Sinhala films.

He leaves behind his wife Chandani and two daughters, Tharini and Tharushi.

His remains will lie at his residence at 351A, Pannipitiya Road, Thalawathugoda, from today.

The funeral will take place at the Thalawathugoda cemetery tomorrow afternoon.

Delays over land, contracts and approvals are keeping Sri Lanka tied to expensive diesel power, WindForce PLC Managing Director Manjula Perera has warned, even as the Government seeks about Rs. 400 billion in renewable energy and battery storage investment over three years.

Perera made the warning at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, where he said the system meant to turn that ambition into electricity was struggling to move projects forward.

He cited WindForce’s 100 MW Siyambalanduwa solar project, awarded in 2022, which waited about 18 months for the Government to hand over land. Commissioning is expected by July 2027, so the project will take roughly five years from award to operation. Two 50 MW wind projects at Mullikulam, awarded to WindForce and Vidulanka in February 2026, face similar obstacles. Perera said land matters remain unresolved and the draft power purchase agreement is still with the Attorney General’s Department. The available information does not put a figure on the national loss, but prolonged delays can raise financing costs, postpone electricity production and weaken investor confidence.

The cost of waiting is considerable. Perera said renewable sources supply about 54% of electricity, while thermal power supplies around 46% but takes more than 71% of generation costs. Diesel plants provide about 14% of supply yet account for roughly 40% of costs, at an estimated Rs. 94 per kilowatt-hour. Actual savings from new renewable capacity would depend on tariffs, grid integration, financing and balancing needs. Even so, competitively priced projects could cut exposure to costly thermal generation, while delays could complicate any reduction in electricity tariffs.

Perera named three main barriers to foreign investment. These are power purchase agreements that are not sufficiently bankable, rupee-denominated tariffs for large projects and an approval process that requires more than 17 clearances. Foreign investors weigh these risks against markets that offer more predictable terms and schedules.

He also said the planned move towards competitive tendering needs careful handling. Auctions can reveal lower prices, but headline tariffs alone do not show whether a project offers value for money. Land readiness, financing conditions, realistic construction deadlines and enforceable contract terms must also be assessed.

On battery storage, Perera said government tenders cover 160 MW, 250 MW and a further 150 MW. The first tranche is nearing commissioning, the second is expected to follow and the third is due to be awarded soon. Storage can help absorb variable solar and wind output and support grid stability, which may reduce the need to keep expensive thermal plants running for system support.

Technology alone cannot fix institutional weakness, he cautioned. Splitting the Ceylon Electricity Board into separate entities would achieve little unless the successor bodies have enough staff and commercial expertise.

Unless contracts become financeable, approvals speed up and land disputes are settled, Sri Lanka will go on paying a diesel premium while billions of rupees in green investment wait in procedural queues.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for urgent government accountability in Parliament over the fatal shooting of the prominent tusker known as Kavantissa.

Raising the issue under Standing Order 27 (2) yesterday,Premadasa pressed ministers to confirm whether the death is officially classified as a killing and called for a full progress report on the police investigation.

The Opposition Leader urged the government to enlist a team of foreign experts to investigate the tragedy alongside local investigators.

He stated that although veterinary professors from the University of Peradeniya performed the initial post-mortem examination, an independent international inquiry into both the cause of death and the medical care provided to the elephant remains necessary.

Referring to earlier incidents where environmentalists reported warning shots months before the fatal shooting, Premadasa questioned what security protocols had been deployed to protect the animal.

He also requested that all post-mortem findings and judicial orders regarding the final disposal of the carcass be presented to court and made public.

To ensure long-term protection for legally safeguarded wildlife, he proposed setting up a specialized Elephant Conservation Task Force utilizing the expertise of experienced wildlife officers, alongside establishing a dedicated animal hospital, promising full opposition support for such initiatives.

Furthermore, he expressed gratitude for recent arrests made by state raid units, while cautioning authorities against taking punitive administrative action against frontline officers involved in the enforcement operation.

Sri Lanka expects gross official reserves to reach approximately 8.2 billion United States dollars by the end of the year, providing a critical financial buffer against external risks and adverse climate projections.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe announced the target during an interview with international media, confirming that designated financial dispatches would elevate existing reserves from nearly USD 7 billion.

Official data recorded foreign exchange holdings at USD 6.85 billion at the conclusion of September, requiring an expansion of USD 1.35 billion over the fourth quarter to meet official estimates.

Subject to board approval, an upcoming disbursement of roughly USD 345 million from the seventh review of the International Monetary Fund bailout facility is anticipated to account for nearly a quarter of that required total.

Achieving the projection would lift Sri Lanka to its highest year-end reserve standing since 2014, though the total includes a USD 1.4 billion dollar currency swap line with the People's Bank of China that remains bound by operational conditions.

Economic metrics reveal a widening merchandise trade deficit of USD 7.18 billion over the first eight months of the year, alongside a projected shift into a modest current account deficit following three consecutive surplus years.

Despite an increase in consumer price inflation to 8.0 per cent in September, fiscal performance strengthened as the eight-month primary budget surplus surged to USD 1,644.6 billion.

The CBSL Governor stressed that maintaining strong fiscal buffers remains vital to insulate the domestic economy against lingering Middle East conflicts and anticipated El Niño drought conditions in 2027 that could hamper hydropower production.