Minister Sunil Handunnetti stated that new laws will be introduced against selling imported goods at prices lower than local products. He urged manufacturers to report suspected illegal imports, noting such goods may be entering the market below regulated prices. The move aims to support local industries, the Minister noted.

Legal action planned over low-priced imported goods

The State of Public Emergency in Sri Lanka has been extended by one month, according to a gazette issued by Dr. N.S. Kumanayake. The extension follows the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and aims to ensure public safety and essential services. Services including electricity, fuel, healthcare and transport will continue under essential services regulations.

State of Public Emergency extended by one month

The Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority stated that displaying revised bus fares inside buses is mandatory. Non-compliance may result in fines or cancellation of permits, with inspections set to begin. The National Transport Commission (NTC) recently increased fares by 12.19%, raising the minimum fare to Rs. 30. Passengers can report violations via 011 2860860 or 070 2860860.

Revised bus fares must be displayed inside buses

The Department of Meteorology stated that mainly dry and warm weather will continue across most parts of Sri Lanka. Showers or thundershowers are expected in parts of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Colombo, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm today (29). The public is advised to take precautions against strong winds and lightning.

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

<ul><li>Fear mounts over possible delay in 25,000 MT urea shipment due from Oman in early April</li><li>Existing fertiliser stocks sufficient for initial phase of Yala season: Deputy Minister</li><li>Farmers ask how 25,000-30,000 MT of urea will be sufficient when 120,000 MT needed</li></ul> Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector faces renewed uncertainty as a crucial fertiliser shipment expected in April hangs in the balance amid escalating global tensions, raising concerns over supply stability and rising costs ahead of the Yala cultivation season.Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said a vessel carrying approximately 25,000 MT of urea from Oman – imported to Sri Lanka through India – was scheduled to arrive in early April but warned that geopolitical developments, particularly disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, could delay its arrival.&nbsp;“A shipment of close to 25,000 MT is expected. However, given the current geopolitical situation, arrival schedules remain uncertain,” he told The Sunday Morning.The warning comes as global shipping routes, including the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, face severe disruption. With nearly a third of sea-borne fertiliser shipments passing through the strait, any prolonged instability could significantly impact supply chains to import-dependent countries like Sri Lanka.Despite the risks, Karunaratne insisted that there was no immediate fertiliser shortage. Noting that existing stocks were sufficient for the initial phase of the Yala season, particularly for the first application of urea in paddy cultivation, he said: “We have adequate quantities for now. Any issue would arise during the second stage, but we expect the shipment to arrive on time. There is a 90% probability it will,” he said.According to the National Fertilizer Secretariat, around 30,000 MT of urea has already been released to the market, with a further 68,000 MT in reserve. Stocks of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) stand at approximately 30,000 MT each.Additional shipments are planned to bridge the gap. Officials expect 25,000 MT of urea in early April, a further 25,000 MT by around 10 April, and about 15,000 MT of MOP by the month’s end. Sri Lanka has sufficient stock of TSP at the moment, according to the National Fertilizer Secretariat.However, agricultural experts and farmer organisations warn that official assurances may not reflect ground realities.National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon claimed that only a fraction of available stocks was reaching farmers, arguing that effective market supply was far below national requirements.“When 450,000 hectares require around 120,000 MT of urea, how can 25,000–30,000 MT be sufficient?” he asked, warning of potential protests if shortages persisted.Academics echo these concerns. University of Peradeniya Department of Agriculture Senior Professor Buddhi Marambe noted that total fertiliser demand across crops exceeded current stock levels and cautioned that global supply shocks could further strain availability.“One-third of sea-shipped fertiliser passes through the Strait of Hormuz. That is a serious vulnerability,” he said.Meanwhile, prices are already under pressure. Karunaratne warned that global fuel and import cost increases were likely to drive fertiliser prices higher in the Maha season.In response, the Government has stepped up intervention, moving to acquire 65% of privately held fertiliser stocks and expand State distribution channels, after accusing private firms of delaying market supply.Under the current pricing mechanism, the State purchases fertiliser at Rs. 9,500 per bag and distributes it to farmers at a capped price not exceeding Rs. 11,000, significantly below private market rates of Rs. 15,000–18,000.Authorities have also urged farmers to avoid panic buying, warning that it fuels price spikes and distorts supply.As Sri Lanka heads into a critical cultivation period, the timing of a single shipment – and the stability of global supply routes – may prove decisive for the country’s food security in the months ahead.&nbsp;

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment uncertainties raise alarm over Yala season

<ul><li>Emergency tender for 3 months awarded to Taranjot Resources of India</li><li>Shipments from Trident still ongoing, rejected consignments notwithstanding</li></ul> The emergency tender that was moved to procure coal stocks in response to quality concerns over the coal supplies procured under the previous term tender process has been officially awarded to Taranjot Resources of India following a Cabinet decision. Five shipments carrying a total of 300,000 MT of coal are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly, according to a senior official at the Energy Ministry.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Energy Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala said: “The emergency tender has now been officially awarded. Through this, we are expecting to receive five ships carrying a total of 300,000 MT of coal.”He also noted that the previous term tender remained in operation, but said that several consignments had been rejected due to quality issues. “The previous tender is still continuing. However, the first, ninth, and 11th shipments were rejected due to the supply of substandard coal. We are expecting approximately 20 shipments under this tender,” Hemapala explained.The emergency procurement process was initiated to ensure supply continuity, allowing for a temporary deviation from standard tender procedures over a three-month period.&nbsp;The move was driven not by a shortage of coal in the global market, but by quality concerns linked to previous deliveries, according to Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas. “The core issue we faced was the receipt of substandard coal from the previous supplier, which directly necessitated the initiation of an emergency tender,” he explained.Under the arrangement, the Government will procure approximately 300,000 MT of coal, equivalent to five shipments from Taranjot Resources, with the company furnishing the required performance bond, enabling the procurement process to proceed.The development follows repeated shortcomings by the previous supplier, Trident Chemphar, which operated under a term tender but failed to consistently meet delivery schedules and quality standards.The procurement is taking place amid heightened volatility in global energy markets. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have increased shipping risks, with insurance coverage in certain zones becoming more restrictive, contributing to fluctuations in freight costs and the final landed price of coal.Responding to concerns over potential supply disruptions, Deputy Minister Ilyas said coal deliveries to the Norochcholai power plant were continuing without interruption. “This is not to say we are not facing challenges, as the Norochcholai plant experienced numerous breakdowns last year and we cannot entirely guarantee its mechanical reliability. However, coal supply remains continuous, with another shipment arriving as recently as Friday (27),” he said.Ilyas added that the primary vulnerability in the system remained the plant’s mechanical reliability rather than fuel availability, with authorities focusing on maintaining operational stability.The latest developments come amid ongoing concerns that substandard coal supplied by Trident Chemphar may be affecting both electricity generation and public health.In response, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an emergency procurement of 300,000 MT of coal for the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, along with a temporary deviation from standard procurement procedures to secure supplies over a three-month period. The decision, initially approved on 26 January, provides for the procurement of 300,000 MT (±10%) of coal in five shipments for the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant.Technical analysis by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has indicated that the plant now requires a higher coal feed rate to maintain output, resulting in increased flue gas volumes and a corresponding rise in pollutant formation.&nbsp;

Coal supplies: Five shipments of 300,000 MT secured under emergency tender

<ul><li>CEB cites Rs. 15.8 b revenue gap to justify hike proposal</li><li>Past debts will not be passed on to consumers: PUSCL Chairman</li></ul> The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is set to announce its final determination on electricity tariff revisions tomorrow (30).The determination will be made following a review of a proposal submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), which has requested a uniform tariff increase of 13.56% across all consumer categories for the April-June quarter, PUCSL Chairman Prof. Lalith Chandralal said.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, he said that the CEB had justified the proposed increase by projecting a revenue shortfall of Rs. 15.8 billion for the period, with estimated operational costs of Rs. 136.5 billion against expected revenue of Rs. 116.9 billion under existing tariffs.&nbsp;The PUCSL is currently evaluating the submission to determine whether tariffs should be increased, reduced, or maintained.The final decision on tariffs is expected following a meeting of commission members scheduled for tomorrow (30). The regulator has been conducting a detailed assessment of the financial data submitted by the CEB, including requesting additional clarifications where necessary.“The proposed tariff revision is currently under active discussion within the commission. It is our responsibility to scrutinise the submitted figures carefully. We are still in the review process and have requested further clarifications from the CEB. The commission will meet on Monday, and we expect to reach a final decision at that stage,” he explained.The proposed tariff increase has drawn public attention, particularly regarding whether historical debts and financial losses incurred by the CEB would be transferred to consumers through higher tariffs. Prof. Chandralal rejected this possibility.“I can confidently say that past accumulated debts and historical financial deficits will not be considered or included in the calculation for the upcoming tariff revision,” he said.Addressing concerns over potential electricity shortages linked to global fuel and coal supply uncertainties, Prof. Chandralal said that no immediate disruptions to power supply were anticipated and that the PUCSL had not received any proposal related to the matter from the authorities.“We do not foresee any immediate risk of power outages at this moment. The stability of the grid over the coming months will depend on maintaining a continuous supply of diesel and coal, but based on current conditions, there will be no scheduled power cuts,” he said.Speaking further, he said that global fuel price volatility linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions had added complexity to the tariff-setting process. While these external factors directly influence the cost of electricity generation, the regulator may be required to proceed without a stable medium-term outlook on energy prices.“We have requested detailed information on the impact of rising global fuel prices. However, given the volatility of the situation, it is unlikely that we will have a fully stable forecast before making our final decision,” he noted.He further clarified that the upcoming revision was part of the routine quarterly pricing mechanism rather than a response to recent supply-side developments.“As part of the established regulatory framework, we carry out tariff revisions every quarter. These adjustments may result in either increases or reductions, in line with the structural benchmarks agreed with the International Monetary Fund. This is the standard revision process for the second quarter,” he said.While the CEB has proposed a 13.56% increase, the PUCSL emphasised that the final outcome may differ following regulatory review.“The final decision will be made collectively by the commission. We request the public to await the official announcement on Monday (30),” Prof. Chandralal added.Concerns have been raised over a drastic increase in electricity tariffs by several parties, owing to current dry weather conditions, substandard coal, and a high dependency on diesel. With the shortage of naphtha, the power supply has become increasingly reliant on diesel-powered generation, according to officials.&nbsp;

Electricity tariffs: Decision on 13.56% hike tomorrow

<ul><li>No immediate tariff revision despite electricity price uncertainty</li><li>New treatment projects underway; completion may take up to 3 years</li></ul> In spite of the prevailing dry weather conditions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) claims that Sri Lanka’s existing water reserves are sufficient to maintain supply for the next three to four months without imposing water cuts or restrictions, even with heightened demand.NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara told The Sunday Morning that while water availability was stable at present, the surge in demand and consumption caused by the current drought situation was the main challenge. He cautioned that water consumption had increased significantly due to the prevailing dry weather.“Water is available. Our production is very limited, even though we are operating at our maximum capacity,” he said, noting that all treatment plants islandwide were currently operating at full capacity and that the issue was not a shortage of water, but increased demand.Bandara emphasised that production could not be increased beyond existing levels.&nbsp;In the Colombo District, the three water treatment plants – Ambatale, Labugama, and Kalatuwawa – are operating at maximum capacity. Ambatale produces 560,000 cubic metres per day, while Labugama and Kalatuwawa collectively produce 150,000 cubic metres per day.With production capacity limited, Bandara stated that some areas could experience low water pressure, particularly at the endpoints of the distribution network. He also identified Maharagama, Kottawa, Pannipitiya, Piliyandala, Panadura, and Wadduwa as areas in the Western Province that could be most affected by low water pressure.The Chairman said that no decision had been taken to revise water tariffs, even if electricity tariffs were to increase. “Water tariffs are usually considered twice a year. As of now, no changes have been made, and we are maintaining the same prices,” Bandara assured.Looking ahead, the NWSDB intends to expand its capacity, including an additional treatment facility in Ambatale with a capacity of 50,000 cubic metres per day, along with the Kalu Ganga project with a capacity of 136,000 cubic metres per day, according to Bandara.“However, both of these projects are still at the procurement stage and are expected to take around two-and-a-half to three years to complete,” he acknowledged.According to Bandara, seawater intrusion, which typically increases with higher temperatures and reduced river flow, is currently under control, with the Kelani River being closely monitored.“So far, salinity intrusion has not affected the intake at Ambatale, and we do not expect the situation to worsen within the next month. However, as a temporary solution, we have installed a strategic sandbag barrier across the Ambatale water intake,” he noted, adding that the barrier was expected to minimise the risk of salinity intrusion.Bandara further urged the public to use water responsibly and avoid wastage, particularly for non-essential activities such as gardening and vehicle washing, amid the ongoing drought conditions.&nbsp;Addressing the media, he called on the public to use water sparingly and warned that if the dry weather persisted, water distribution may have to be limited.

Drought conditions: No water cuts, but low pressure due to high demand: NWSDB

<ul><li>Emissions within limits despite higher ash generation: CEA&nbsp;</li><li>Experts warn of sulphur and mercury risks, citing visible health symptoms</li></ul> Contradictions have emerged between environmental advocates and State authorities over the potential of an ecological and public health crisis surrounding the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai due to the use of substandard coal supplies.When asked by The Sunday Morning whether any assessment had been carried out on the environmental impact of the substandard coal, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Director General Kapila Rajapaksha maintained that there was currently no evidence of environmental discharge exceeding safety limits.While acknowledging that the amount of ash generated was indeed high, he insisted that the plant’s mitigation systems remained effective.“The absorption capacity is double the current load being generated,” Rajapaksha said, asserting that pollutants had not been released into the environment. He added that the CEA continued to monitor stack emissions and ambient air quality through established systems.According to reports received by the CEA a week ago, tests for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides indicated that levels were within ambient air quality standards and had not increased to a harmful level, he said.&nbsp;Rajapaksha further noted that the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was the primary oversight body and was working closely with the power plant to monitor the situation.However, environmentalists remain sceptical of these assurances, pointing to visible physical discomfort – including eye irritation among residents near the plant – as a possible indicator of ongoing sulphur pollution.Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Chairman Hemantha Withanage raised concerns over the high ash and chemical content in the current coal stocks. Describing coal as “the world’s dirtiest energy source,” he said that while public discourse often focused on carbon dioxide, the more immediate danger lay in sulphur and mercury emissions.According to Withanage, the standard allowable ash content for coal in Sri Lanka is typically around 11%, whereas the current batch contains between 21% and 25%. He warned that this excessive ash load could overwhelm the plant’s Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP), leading to the release of fine particulate matter into the atmosphere.He also highlighted the long-term risks of mercury exposure, claiming that its effects were already evident in the region: “Mercury accumulates in human hair and nails. Several years ago, following the establishment of the Norochcholai power plant, we tested people who consume fish from the Puttalam Lagoon, particularly women, and found high levels. Therefore, the current situation is very dangerous and should be taken seriously.”He explained that mercury evaporated at high temperatures during combustion and could enter the food chain.Withanage further criticised the decision to continue using the coal on the basis that payments had already been made, describing the justification as “a foolish argument”.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment stated that appropriate action would be taken if any adverse environmental impact was detected. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said that the primary concern related to the sulphur content of the coal. “If an environmental impact arises from this, appropriate measures will be taken. It needs to be discussed with the CEA,” he said.According to a report by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), submitted to the parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, the current coal supply has significantly worsened environmental performance compared to the previous supplier.Emissions have risen sharply, with sulphur dioxide increasing by up to 452% and nitrogen-based pollutants also recording significant spikes. This is largely due to the need to burn more coal to generate the same level of electricity.Solid waste has also increased considerably, with fly ash output more than doubling, raising both environmental and operational concerns. The report attributes these impacts to lower fuel efficiency, noting that the plant now requires more coal per unit of electricity, resulting in higher emissions and increased waste generation.&nbsp;

Legal action planned over low-priced imported goods

State of Public Emergency extended by one month

State of Public Emergency exte ...

Revised bus fares must be displayed inside buses

Revised bus fares must be disp ...

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

Mainly dry weather expected in ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment uncertainties raise alarm over Yala seas ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments of 300,000 MT secured under emergency te ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments ...

Electricity tariffs: Decision on 13.56% hike tomorrow

Electricity tariffs: Decision ...

Drought conditions: No water cuts, but low pressure due to high demand ...

Drought conditions: No water c ...

Substandard coal: Pollution alarm triggered, officials say ‘no risk’ y ...

Substandard coal: Pollution al ...

State of Public Emergency extended by one month

State of Public Emergency exte ...

Revised bus fares must be displayed inside buses

Revised bus fares must be disp ...

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

Mainly dry weather expected in ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment uncertainties raise alarm over Yala seas ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments of 300,000 MT secured under emergency te ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments ...

Electricity tariffs: Decision on 13.56% hike tomorrow

Electricity tariffs: Decision ...

Drought conditions: No water cuts, but low pressure due to high demand ...

Drought conditions: No water c ...

Substandard coal: Pollution alarm triggered, officials say ‘no risk’ y ...

Substandard coal: Pollution al ...

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State of Public Emergency extended by one month

State of Public Emergency exte ...

Revised bus fares must be displayed inside buses

Revised bus fares must be disp ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

Mainly dry weather expected in ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment uncertainties raise alarm over Yala seas ...

Fertiliser supplies: Shipment ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments of 300,000 MT secured under emergency te ...

Coal supplies: Five shipments ...

Electricity tariffs: Decision on 13.56% hike tomorrow

Electricity tariffs: Decision ...