<ul><li>Says 2025 PUCSL recommendations ignored</li><li>1 hour power cuts across four groups till tomorrow</li><li>Lakvijaya offline, 200 MW shortfall at peak</li></ul> The National System Operator (NSO) Private Limited’s probe into Saturday’s (17) island-wide blackout is unlikely to produce meaningful results, as the Company failed to implement Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) recommendations made after a similar outage in February 2025, the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) claimed.Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the PUCSL had held a public consultation in August 2025 after the February outage and prepared a report with recommendations to prevent a recurrence, none of which, he alleged, the NSO had implemented. “If they had implemented those recommendations, this kind of incident wouldn’t have happened again,” he claimed.He also alleged that the cost of improving the system was factored into tariff revision proposals, but the changes were never made. “They include all these matters in their calculations and increase the tariffs. But, in the end, they don’t make the changes that need to be made.”Dhammika said the NSO, as the Company operating the national electricity system, should face an independent inquiry rather than investigate itself. “It’s the party responsible for this. Does it make sense for them to investigate themselves?”He said the PUCSL should investigate, though he doubted a Commission inquiry would deliver a satisfactory outcome. “We can’t be sure that there’ll be justice even after a PUCSL-led investigation,” he said.NSO Chairperson Pradeep Priyadarshana has said the Company’s internal investigation will establish the sequence of events and the causes. A report including recommendations is due to the PUCSL and the Energy Ministry within one month.Saturday’s blackout began at around 11.45 a.m., with supply restored to most areas by around 7.50 p.m. The NSO attributed it to severe instability in the transmission network. Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said a technical issue detected earlier at a hydropower plant in Kotmale may have contributed.Attempts to contact the PUCSL and NSO Chief Executive Officer Buddhika Samarasekara proved futile.Meanwhile, consumers face a second evening of one-hour power cuts today (20), after the PUCSL approved an NSO request for rotating interruptions across four groups from yesterday (19) until tomorrow (21).Each group will lose power for one hour between 4.30 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the order rotating daily.The authorities said times may vary by up to 30 minutes depending on demand, available generation and weather conditions.The cuts will be imposed only if demand management becomes necessary due to insufficient generation following the unavailability of the Lakvijaya Power Station. The NSO has said the plant will remain off the grid for several days after being shut down as a precaution on Saturday. The NSO projects peak evening demand at 2,800 MW against available capacity of 2,600 MW.&nbsp;

Island-wide blackout fallout: NSO probe a ‘damp squib’: ECA

<ul><li>Agbo found safe in Nachchaduwa</li></ul> Five more suspects allegedly involved in the shooting of the Kavantissa tusker and related illegal activities have been arrested during a joint operation by the Wildlife Conservation Department, the Panadura Walana Central Anti-Vice Strike Force and the Police, the Environment Ministry said. They are being questioned by Wildlife Conservation officers and the Galgamuwa Police.Meanwhile, the two main suspects arrested in connection with the shooting were remanded until 28 October by Maho Magistrate Anuradha Senavirathna when they were produced before Court yesterday (19).One of them, a Skills Development Officer attached to the Ehetuwewa Divisional Secretariat, was arrested on 18 October by officers of the Strike Force and the Department. Investigations have revealed that he was directly involved in the shooting. A 12-bore firearm, a muzzle-loading ‘cap gun’ and 24 rounds of ammunition were seized from his residence. There were also reports that he had previously shot an elephant called Diana.Investigations have been expanded to locate the firearms used in the shooting and to determine whether an organised syndicate targeting wild animals was operating in the area.Kavantissa, regarded as Sri Lanka’s largest and tallest living tusker, died on 16 October in a paddy field in Galgamuwa while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to its right foreleg.The tusker Agbo, missing for several days, was found yesterday morning roaming in the Nachchaduwa Reservoir Forest Reserve in Thirappane following a joint search by the Army and Wildlife Conservation officers, the Defence Ministry Spokesperson said.Thirappane Wildlife Conservation Range Assistant Buddhika Athukorala, who is in charge of the area, confirmed that the tusker was in good health.The search, in its second day, involved 50 Army personnel and three drones, after information that Agbo had travelled from Eruwewa along the A-9 road towards the reservoir on 18 October.North-Western Wildlife Zone Veterinary Surgeon Dr Isuru Hewakottage has reportedly resigned from his post, citing severe allegations and criticism on social media over his treatment of Kavantissa. He has not yet formally resigned from the Department.Former Wildlife Veterinary Unit Director Dr Tharaka Prasad said the treatment followed standard procedures and recommended dosages.Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody told The Daily Morning that the Ministry would probe firearms in public possession with the support of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), citing a series of elephant shootings, including one involving a Type-56 rifle.He said an independent investigation into Kavantissa's death would include external experts in environmental law, criminal law and veterinary surgery, while post-mortem samples had been sent to the Peradeniya pathology department and several private institutions.Meanwhile, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) plans to take legal action, with environmental lawyer Dr Ravindranath Dabare claiming that body parts needed for a complete post-mortem were being buried rather than preserved. The CEJ will also seek a formal and organised system for treating harmed or injured elephants in the wild.Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, addressing the Presidential Environmental Awards in Colombo yesterday, said environmental laws would be enforced strictly without discrimination or favouritism.

 5 more arrested over Kavantissa shooting

<ul><li>Claims same unprecedented in P’ment history&nbsp;</li></ul> The Parliamentary Opposition has claimed that seeking the Attorney General’s (AG) advice on the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne is unprecedented in Parliament’s history and insisted that the motion be taken up for debate without undue delay.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (19), Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the Government had not refused to debate the motion but had said it needed to obtain the AG’s advice before fixing a date.“As far as I know, advice has never been sought from the AG on an NCM in the history of Parliament. When we asked the Parliamentary Secretary-General (SG) about it, she (Attorney Kushani Rohanadheera) also said that there had never been such a procedure. But, since the Ruling Party has now stated that it is necessary, a date will be fixed as soon as the AG’s advice is received,” he said.He also questioned the Government’s explanation that the motion contained technical defects, pointing out that Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake had initially told Parliament that the Government was ready to debate it on the earliest possible date.“Initially, the House Leader said in Parliament that they were ready to debate this NCM on the earliest possible date. It is only now that they are talking about technical issues. The Ruling Party initially offered a one-day debate, which we said would not provide sufficient time. It was when we said that we needed two or three days that they said there were technical issues with the motion. If we had agreed to their proposal, would these technical issues have arisen?” he queried.Karunathilleka also said that obtaining the AG’s advice should not become a reason for keeping the motion pending for an extended period.“They cannot take a very long time just to get the AG’s advice,” he said.The NCM against the Speaker was submitted to the SG on 9 October by 44 Opposition MPs representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the New Democratic Front and independent groups.The motion alleges 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 MPs and the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Anti-Speaker NCM: Opposition slams Govt seeking AG’s advice 

The Prisons Department expects to implement proposed changes to regulations governing Buddhist monks serving prison sentences during this month (October), as soon as the agreement of the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General (CG) is received, Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson, Senaka Pallethenna said.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (19), he said: “We have forwarded the regulations to the said CG. When we receive his agreement, we’ll implement them. We are hopeful that they’ll be able to be implemented during the course of this month.”The proposed changes include provisions on the removal of a monk’s robes upon admission to prison and the wearing of robes when monks are taken outside prison. The Government is also considering extending similar arrangements, with appropriate changes, to members of other religious clergy serving prison sentences.Justice and National Integration Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara announced the proposed amendments on 14 October following the submission of an interim report by a committee appointed to review prison rules and procedures. One of the key recommendations is to amend Prison Standing Order 356 by introducing a new provision, 356(A). Under the proposed provision, prison authorities would be required to consult the Buddhist Affairs Department regarding the removal of a monk’s robes upon admission to prison. The Prisons Commissioner would have 10 days to notify the Department and take the necessary steps. A separate amendment to Departmental Order 550 would allow Buddhist monks to wear their robes whenever they are taken outside prison, unless their respective Sect formally requests that the privilege be withdrawn.The proposed changes follow concerns over the treatment of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation’s General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera after he was taken into custody. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake subsequently held discussions with representatives of the three main Buddhist Sects and appointed a committee to examine the existing legal framework.

Regulating imprisoned monks:  Prisons await Buddhist Affairs CG’s approval 

Attorney-at-law Udaya Gammanpila has filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking a determination that certain provisions of the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, presented to Parliament by the Government, are inconsistent with the Constitution.The Attorney General has been named as the respondent in the petition.The petitioner has claimed that certain provisions of the proposed legislation violate Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.Accordingly, Gammanpila has requested the SC to rule that the disputed provisions, if enacted, must be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament and approved by the people at a referendum.

Gammanpila challenges anti-terrorism Bill in SC

Former President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (19) issued a special statement explaining the “technical error” cited in a court ruling that led to the re-imprisonment of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, offering an unconditional apology to the Buddhist clergy over the error.Sirisena said he issued the statement in response to questions raised by Buddhist monks, journalists and the public regarding the matter.He said he fully respected the court’s decision and considered it correct. According to the ruling, a technical error had occurred in the documents submitted by the President’s Office to the court in connection with the process to secure Gnanasara Thera’s release.Two cases against Thera had been heard before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. These involved allegations of obstructing court proceedings and contempt of court under Article 105 of the Constitution. The cases were registered under numbers 37417/10 and 40042.Sirisena explained the documents relating to the pardon in the two cases should have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Prisons for approval.Although the then Additional Senior Secretary in charge of the Legal Division of the President’s Office had informed him of this requirement, the relevant request had not been forwarded to the Ministry, he said. As a result, only his signature had been obtained without the Ministry’s approval.Sirisena said he had been misled in the process and that errors made by officials serving in his administration at the time had resulted in Gnanasara Thera being imprisoned again.According to the statement, the legal proceedings followed a complaint filed in court by Sandhya Eknaligoda, wife of missing cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda, through a non-governmental organisation associated with Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.Sirisena said he uncovered these details after carefully examining a copy of the relevant court ruling. He subsequently offered an unconditional apology to the Buddhist clergy over the mistake made by the officials involved.

Sirisena apologises for error in Gnanasara pardon 

Attorney Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (19) filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging a court order prohibiting protests in the Colombo Fort area against the removal of the robe of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and calling for his pardon.The petition seeks a writ order preventing the implementation of an order recently issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, which barred demonstrations in the area.Gnanasara Thera is currently serving a prison sentence, and the protests were organised in opposition to the removal of his robe and to demand that he be granted a pardon.The Officer-in-Charge of the Fort Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General and the Colombo Fort Magistrate have been named as respondents in the petition.

Gammanpila challenges protest ban 

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (19) conducted a search lasting several hours at the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) office and premises of former Minister Douglas Devananda on Stanley Road in Jaffna.According to the CID, the operation was carried out based on information received by the Department, following the issuance of a search warrant by the Jaffna Court.Following the search, CID officers recorded a statement from the party’s office administrative officer in the presence of EPDP Secretary-General Devananda.However, the information provided did not specify the circumstances that prompted the search.The EPDP spokesperson also declined to comment to The Daily Morning on the reasons behind the operation.

CID searches EPDP’s Jaffna office 

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) announced yesterday (19) that it would pursue the development of a new logistics hub within the Colombo Port under a public–private partnership (PPP) model, following the decision to discontinue the 2023 US$ 126 million proposed joint venture involving the China Merchants Port Holdings Limited Company (CMPH) and Access Engineering PLC.&nbsp;The CMPH is part of the China Merchants Group, a Chinese State-owned enterprise directly supervised by the Chinese Government’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.The announcement came a day after the CMPH disclosed that the shareholders had agreed to terminate the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACLH) project and settle their outstanding obligations, with the SLPA agreeing to pay approximately $ 21.9 million as part of the settlement.The construction of the logistic hub was initially scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023, with completion expected by the end of last year (2025). The project was also expected to generate at least 1,800 direct jobs and approximately 10,500 indirect employment opportunities.However, sources told The Daily Morning the proposed logistics hub was to be located within the Port, which has already been facing congestion challenges. The project also drew criticism over plans to allocate around 14 acres of Port land for a multi-storey warehousing complex and lease the land to the CMPH. Critics had questioned the suitability of establishing a large-scale logistics facility within the congested Port and had called for the project to be relocated outside the sea-Port, citing practices at other international ports where logistics facilities operate away from core port areas to ease congestion.&nbsp;There was also speculation that the proposed land lease arrangements remained unresolved, with no lease agreement signed. This was cited as a possible factor behind the developers’ decision to withdraw from the project, although this has not been officially confirmed.The original project deal initiated in 2023, underwent several rounds of talks, however, it never took off the ground. The project was intended to create a major integrated logistics facility at the Port under a 50-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement. The project Company, SACLH, was owned 70 per cent by a wholly owned subsidiary of the CMPH, with the SLPA and Access Engineering each holding a 15% stake, a poor commitment, sources said.The proposed logistics hub was designed to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional maritime and logistics centre by providing modern warehousing, cargo-handling and value-added logistics services. Earlier plans envisaged a facility spanning approximately 150,000 square metres, with a five-to-eight-storey building and a storage capacity of around 530,000 cubic metres. The complex was planned for a central location within the Port, close to the Colombo Port City and the central business District, with direct connectivity to the Airport through the Port Access Elevated Highway. Its proposed services included less-than-container-load operations, multi-country consolidation, container freight station facilities, general warehousing and other value-added logistics services.Investment figures announced during the project’s development varied according to the scope and stage of the proposal. The earlier plan referred to an investment of approximately $ 280 million, while the CMPH had also outlined a $ 126 million investment alongside an upfront payment of $ 26 million. The project was subsequently described in reports as a proposed $ 392 million logistics hub.However, following assessments of external circumstances, commercial considerations and the interests of the shareholders, the parties decided not to proceed with the project.In its announcement dated 15 October, the CMPH said that the parties had agreed to terminate the shareholders’ agreement, the BOT agreement and the site lease agreement through a settlement agreement, bringing the project to an orderly end.According to the Company’s disclosure, the project had received total shareholder capital contributions of $ 37.14 million. The China Merchants’ wholly owned subsidiary contributed $ 26 million, while Access Engineering and the SLPA contributed $ 5.57 million each.Under the settlement arrangements, the SLPA will pay approximately $ 21.905 million after deductions for the relevant tax and late-payment liabilities. The settlement is intended to resolve outstanding matters relating to the project.Meanwhile, the SLPA has made clear that the termination of the joint venture will not derail its plans to expand logistics infrastructure at the Port. Instead, the SLPA intends to invite private-sector participation through a competitive bidding process under the PPP model, subject to the relevant approvals. The SLPA expects the initiative to help transform the Port from a predominantly container transshipment hub into a broader maritime and logistics centre, while improving operational efficiency, attracting investment and generating sustainable long-term revenue. The SLPA has also emphasised that the alternative development model is intended to align with its strategic priorities, commercial objectives and Sri Lanka’s national economic interests.

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