<ul><li>Only essential goods being imported</li><li>Exports rise but insufficient to cover import expenses&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Focus on increasing domestic production via co-ops</li></ul> Sri Lanka is unlikely to see a significant reduction in its import bill in the immediate future, with most current imports being essential goods, but the Government expects to bring down import expenditure within the next one to two years by increasing domestic production and exports, the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Ministry stated.&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (31 August), Deputy subject Minister R M Jayawardena said Sri Lanka is now importing mainly essential goods and could not simply stop imports altogether. “Most of what we import at present is essential goods. We can’t restrict those imports. Domestic production has increased to some extent, but we still don’t have the capacity to completely stop imports,” he said. He also said that while exports had increased, the country’s export earnings are still not enough to cover its import expenditure. "The rise in the value of the United States Dollar has also increased the amount that Sri Lanka has to pay in Rupees for imported goods. This has pushed up the import bill in numerical terms. At the same time, the Middle East war situation had contributed to higher prices for some essential imports. We are not importing unnecessary goods at present. But, we have still not been able to reduce import expenditure to a significant extent,” he said. Speaking further, Jayawardena said that the Government is now looking to increase domestic production through co-operative societies and use the additional output to boost exports. "The Government has also extended the validity period of the surcharge imposed on vehicle imports. Through these measures, we expect to be able to reduce import expenditure within another one or two years.” Reducing import expenditure is important for countries such as Sri Lanka, where foreign exchange earnings have to be carefully managed to meet payments for essential imports such as fuel, food, medicine and industrial inputs.

Govt acknowledges: No significant reduction in import bill 

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has questioned why the price of diesel remains unchanged despite its widespread use and the Government’s promise that increased competition in the fuel market would bring greater relief to consumeRs&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA’s General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the Government had presented the entry of the said three Companies as a move aimed at creating competition in the fuel market and ultimately providing relief to consumeRs “But today, we are asking a simple question: What real benefit has the public received from this competitive market? They all sell fuel at almost the same prices. Where is the competition that the Government said would be there?” He also said the price of diesel has not gone down in the latest fuel price revision, despite its importance to the country’s fuel consumption and its use in electricity generation. "Diesel is one of the most-used types of fuel in the country. Its price has a direct impact on consumers and manufactureRs However, the latest price revision didn't make any change to the diesel price. The Government is always saying that they are there to provide relief to consumeRs But, they don't act on what they say." Dhammika also said the Energy Ministry should explain to the people as to whether Treasury funds, collected through taxes paid by the public, are being used to cover operating or marketing losses incurred by fuel companies. “If that is not happening, tell the country that clearly. If public funds are being used, disclose how much is being spent. If not, show the country, with the numbers, where the promised relief has reached,” he said. Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka was not available for comment. The comments came after the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco/CPC) announced a fuel price revision effective from 30 August midnight. Under the latest revision, the price of Petrol 92 was reduced by Rs 15 to Rs 399 a litre and Petrol 95 by Rs 20 to Rs 475. However, the price of Auto Diesel remained unchanged at Rs 382 a litre, while Super Diesel remained at Rs 478 and kerosene at Rs 285. The LIOC also revised its petrol prices in line with the CPC prices.

ECA challenges fuel market competition  

<ul><li>&nbsp;Says all guidelines, sample docs issued to NSO ahead of March 2027 deadline&nbsp;</li></ul>The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday (31 August) said it had already issued all necessary guidelines and sample documents required for the implementation of the battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity to the National System Operator (Private) Limited (NSO), well in advance of the tariff decision requiring such implementation.The PUCSL’s clarification comes in response to remarks made by the NSO’s Chairperson Dr Pradeep Perera, who told&nbsp;The Daily Morning&nbsp;that the NSO is unable to immediately implement the PUCSL directive to establish the BESS capacity for solar energy by next year (2027), citing a lack of detailed implementation agreements and documents.Director of Corporate Communications at the PUCSL, Jayanath Herat told&nbsp;The Morning&nbsp;that the Commission had provided sample documents, including a draft declaration to be signed by a chartered engineer. He added that preparing final agreements and internal administrative documents, along with their speedy implementation, is the responsibility of the licensee, referring to the NSO.The PUCSL issued the directive as part of its approved tariff decision, requiring the NSO to ensure that at least 450 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (SPV) capacity with the BESS is added to the electricity system by March 2027. This measure is intended to address a forecast capacity deficit in the first quarter of 2027 and ensure sufficient capacity to meet the peak demand without scheduled power interruptions.Dr Perera had said that the NSO had only received the initial decision but lacked the practical guidelines required for execution, noting that the NSO had requested formal instructions and clarifications from the Energy Ministry. He said that while some baseline numbers had been provided for the BESS, concrete agreements and administrative documents needed finalisation before work could begin, adding that the NSO is not in a position to implement the directive immediately.The documents seen by&nbsp;The Morning&nbsp;show that the PUCSL has issued key directives and approved regulatory guidelines to major power sector institutions on the implementation and operation of rooftop (RT) SPV and the BESS. According to the documents, the PUCSL issued a directive to Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. (EDL) on 3 August, officially approving and directing all distribution licensees to comply with and enforce the newly established regulatory framework for the RTSPV and the BESS with effect from that date. The directive required compliance with the Standards Institution’s (SI) technical specifications for the BESS, the use of standard agreements alongside a newly introduced BESS integration addendum, adherence to interconnection guidelines for distribution utilities and prosumers, and the collection of a mandatory technical compliance declaration signed by a registered chartered electrical engineer upon the commissioning of every RTSPV/BESS installation. The letter was signed by Director General (DG) Damitha Kumarasinghe and Deputy DG – Industry Services Kanchana Siriwardena.A separate directive was issued to the NSO on 4 August, sharing the approved regulatory framework for the RTSPV and the BESS for awareness, information and alignment within the NSO's grid operation mandate. This directive highlighted operational pillars including compliance of the BESS installations with SI technical specifications, system integration in line with interconnection guidelines, and the enforcement of the mandatory chartered electrical engineer declaration upon commissioning. This letter was signed by Siriwardena.The documents also show that the PUCSL earlier directed the Ceylon Electricity Board, in a letter dated 11 June of last year (2025), to implement a revised contractual structure for RTS electricity generation, including standardised interconnection agreements, application forms and amendments to supply services codes, to facilitate investment.The directives cite the Safety, Quality and Continuity of the Electricity Supply Regulations of 2016, the Sri Lanka Standard SLS 1680:2020 governing the safety of hybrid solar inverters, and BS 7671, the Institution of Engineering and Technology Wiring Regulations for electrical installations, as among the technical standards that licensees must follow.&nbsp;(MD)

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay 

A request was made before the Court of Appeal (CA) yesterday (31) to refer to the Supreme Court (SC) a petition seeking an order to invalidate the Parliamentary seat of Opposition Parliamentarian Dr Ramanathan Archchuna.The request was made by Attorney-at-Law Senany Dayaratne, who appeared for Dr Archchuna, when the petition was taken up before the CA yesterday.However, the CA stated that an order on the request would be issued at an appropriate time.

Request to refer Archchuna seat petition to SC

The Supreme Court (SC) is scheduled to take up today (1 September) petitions challenging the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which was presented to Parliament by the Government.A five-member SC bench has been appointed to hear the petitions, with Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena serving as its hHead. The bench also comprises Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath B Abayakoon, and K Gihan H Kulatunga.The petitions challenge the proposed Constitutional Amendment, which seeks to extend the retirement age of SC and Court of Appeal judges by two years.

SC to hear 22A petitions today

<ul><li>Alleges unlawful benefit of USD 999 m to disaster-linked parties</li></ul> The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) organisation has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), seeking an investigation into the conduct of three Supreme Court (SC) Judges over an order that terminated proceedings relating to compensation arising from the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster. The complaint, dated 30 August and addressed to the Director General of the CIABOC, which was shared with The Daily Morning by the MCPA’s President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, alleges that the three Judges abused their public office in a manner that conferred an unlawful benefit of approximately US $ 999 million on the owners of the X-Press Pearl and their local agent. The allegations are based, according to the complaint, on journal entries, the judgment and the order terminating the proceedings, which the complainant says are inconsistent with a judgment delivered by a five-Judge bench headed by the former Chief Justice (CJ). The complaint refers to the SC judgment delivered on 24 July of last year (2025), stating that the X-Press Pearl owners and their local agent had paid only $ 1 million at that point, although $ 250 million was due to be paid on or before 24 September 2025. It also refers to two letters sent by the marine indemnity insurer based in London, England to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on 19 September 2025 and 14 November 2025 seeking his intervention to settle the matter amicably. The complaint notes that the Executive President had no lawful authority to intervene in a matter that had already been decided by the SC. The case was subsequently mentioned before the SC on 25 September 2025. The complainant says that requests made for action against the X-Press Pearl owners and their local agent for alleged contempt of court were not acted upon by the three Judges in question. The matter was again taken up on 26 January of this year (2026) before a three-Judge Bench comprising the three Judges named in the complaint.&nbsp;The complaint questions the exclusion of President’s Counsel and Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, described in the complaint as the most senior of the four Judges previously associated with the matter and responsible for compiling the judgement. According to the complaint, no lawful reason was given for his exclusion. It further alleges that this was contrary to established Court practice concerning the composition of subsequent benches in matters heard by the Court previously, referring to SC Applications Numbers 66 and 67/95.&nbsp;It further states that on the same day, 26 January 2026, the three-Judge bench made an order terminating the proceedings. The complainant alleges that the effect of the order was to relieve the X-Press Pearl owners and their local agent of liability for approximately $ 999 million in outstanding compensation, without action being taken over the alleged contempt of court. The complaint further states that the Compensation Management Commission appointed by the SC subsequently terminated its sittings after the order and informed the Court that it could not proceed with the mandate entrusted to it. The Secretary to the Commission subsequently informed the complainants of that position in a letter dated 6 March 2026, which has also been submitted to CIABOC. The MCPA complaint states that, taken together with independent and credible evidence submitted to the Commission, the material discloses a prima facie case warranting an investigation into the conduct of the said three Judges. It alleges that their conduct amounted to an unlawful exercise or abuse of public office for the purpose of conferring an unlawful benefit on the respondents and could therefore constitute an act of corruption under Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. The complainant has asked CIABOC to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations and take whatever action is warranted by law.

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Docs’ group complains to CIABOC over SC order 

Opposition Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara has sought clarification from Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne on the action taken by Parliament regarding serious allegations raised against Chief Justice (CJ) Preethi Padman Surasena.In a letter dated yesterday (31), Jayasekara asked whether any MP had formally submitted the allegations, evidence, or related documents to Parliament or the Speaker and, if so, whether any preliminary inquiry or other action had been initiated.Among the matters raised in Parliament are allegations concerning an apartment in Colombo reportedly valued at around Rs. 185 million and said to have been acquired or owned by Damithu Surasena, identified in Parliament as the CJ’s son. Questions have also been raised regarding the alleged source and manner of acquisition of the property and whether it had been declared in the relevant asset declarations.Jayasekara also referred to matters raised in Parliament concerning the CJ’s alleged role in the MV X-Press Pearl case, including the progress or possible delays in judicial proceedings and the recovery of compensation owed to the Government.He questioned whether the allegations had been referred to any independent institution with the legal authority to investigate and establish their veracity.He further sought to know whether Parliament had obtained any official clarification from relevant Government institutions or the Attorney General’s Department regarding the issues raised in connection with the X-Press Pearl case and the recovery of compensation.Jayasekara called on the Speaker to clarify the steps already taken, or expected to be taken, by Parliament in response to the allegations.

Dayasiri seeks probe into allegations against CJ

A consignment of drugs suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, has been seized from a container at the Colombo Port by officers of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau.Police recovered 420 kilogrammes (kg) of the suspected drug, which had allegedly been concealed inside towels packed in the container.The consignment had reportedly been brought into Sri Lanka from Pakistan.A businessman from Dematagoda has also been arrested in connection with the major drug seizure.

420 kg of Ice seized at Colombo Port

Opposition Parliamentarian and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (31 August) over an alleged corruption case and was subsequently granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.Karunanayake arrived at the CIABOC yesterday to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations that three employees recruited for a special project of the National Lotteries Board had been deployed for political activities, causing a financial loss to the Government.The bail order was issued after the Court considered submissions made by CIABOC officials and lawyers appearing on behalf of Karunanayake.Karunanayake had previously been instructed to appear before the Commission to provide a statement in connection with the investigation. However, after he failed to appear, a team of CIABOC officials visited his residence on 29 August. He was not present at the time.His lawyers subsequently requested an alternative date for him to appear before the Commission, citing his involvement in arrangements related to his daughter’s wedding. Accordingly, his lawyers had informed the Commission that he was scheduled to appear yesterday.

Govt acknowledges: No significant reduction in import bill

ECA challenges fuel market competition

ECA challenges fuel market com ...

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

Request to refer Archchuna seat petition to SC

Request to refer Archchuna sea ...

SC to hear 22A petitions today

SC to hear 22A petitions today

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Docs’ group complains to CIABOC over SC or ...

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Do ...

Dayasiri seeks probe into allegations against CJ

Dayasiri seeks probe into alle ...

420 kg of Ice seized at Colombo Port

420 kg of Ice seized at Colomb ...

Ravi K arrested, granted bail

Ravi K arrested, granted bail

ECA challenges fuel market competition

ECA challenges fuel market com ...

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

Request to refer Archchuna seat petition to SC

Request to refer Archchuna sea ...

SC to hear 22A petitions today

SC to hear 22A petitions today

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Docs’ group complains to CIABOC over SC or ...

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Do ...

Dayasiri seeks probe into allegations against CJ

Dayasiri seeks probe into alle ...

420 kg of Ice seized at Colombo Port

420 kg of Ice seized at Colomb ...

Ravi K arrested, granted bail

Ravi K arrested, granted bail

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ECA challenges fuel market competition

ECA challenges fuel market com ...

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

PUCSL hits back on BESS delay

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Request to refer Archchuna seat petition to SC

Request to refer Archchuna sea ...

SC to hear 22A petitions today

SC to hear 22A petitions today

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Docs’ group complains to CIABOC over SC or ...

X-PRESS PEARL COMPENSATION: Do ...

Dayasiri seeks probe into allegations against CJ

Dayasiri seeks probe into alle ...