Economy

AKD Government revokes contentious 500 MW Adani wind power contract

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revoked a decision made by his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe in June last year to award a controversial 484 MW of wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd.

The project was challenged on multiple grounds, including the arbitrary and excessive price of US cents 8.26 per kilowatt hour at a time when local bidders were offering prices as low as 4.88 cents.

Many environmental organisations, including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and Environmental Foundation Ltd., opposed the project owing to deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Assessment and because Mannar is a critical habitat for migratory birds. The local community, represented by the Bishop of Mannar too, vehemently opposed the project because of the harm to local industries and livelihoods.

In the course of his election campaign, the present President pledged to cancel the deal and call for international tenders to develop wind power in Sri Lanka.

Consistent with that pledge, on 30 December the Cabinet decided “To revoke the cabinet decision dated 2024-05-06 numbered CP No. 24/0850/621/047 submitted by the then Minister of Power and Energy on ‘Proposal of Adani Green Energy SL Limited for the Development of 484 MW of Wind Power Plants in Mannar and Pooneryn.”

Biodiversity scientist Rohan Pethiyagoda, who for the last year fought tirelessly against the proposal award told the Daily FT: “Everyone interested in environmental integrity and financial transparency will celebrate the fact that President Dissanayake has delivered on his promise to defeat this conspiracy to defraud the people of Sri Lanka.”

“Personally, I am delighted by this decision. But it is not enough. The Government must now release all the related files to the Bribery Commission and request a full investigation as to how this scam was perpetrated in the first place. Who was the mastermind behind it? Remember, the last Government agreed to buy electricity from Adani at a rate that was 70% higher than the locally tendered price. Into whose pockets was that 70% going? It added up to billions of dollars,” he said.

Commenting on the culture shift brought about by the NPP Government, Pethiyagoda said: “The degree of transparency we are now seeing is unprecedented. There was no song and dance from the NPP about this hugely consequential Cabinet decision. Instead, the attorney general routinely filed it in court as part of a 174-page submission that reads like something out of Wikileaks. This is a huge victory for environmental and social justice. Much kudos to AKD.”

Pethiyagoda also told the Daily FT that by the same decision, the Cabinet has appointed a new Project Committee and Procurement Committee to make recommendations regarding Adani’s proposal, but that that committee would be constrained by the President’s election pledge to invite international bids for the project. “It could be that the President is under pressure to give this project to an Indian company,” he said, “in which case it is likely that bids will be restricted to companies incorporated in India. Then, Adani too can compete in an open and transparent manner.”

Source – DailyFt

Economy

Sri Lanka records highest-ever tourist arrivals in May

Published

1 day ago

June 9, 2026

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Sri Lanka’s tourism industry achieved a historic milestone in May, recording its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month with 145,745 visitors, surpassing the previous May record of 132,919 arrivals in 2025 and registering a 9.65% year-on-year (YoY) increase.

The strong performance comes despite challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which disrupted long-haul air traffic and increased travel costs across several key markets.

The latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) indicate a gradual strengthening in monthly arrival momentum after several months of relatively subdued growth.

The May performance pushed cumulative arrivals for the first five months of 2026 above the 1 million mark, reaching over 1.02 million visitors. However, year-to-date (YTD) arrivals remain marginally lower, down 1% compared to the corresponding period last year.

Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday described the achievement as a significant turning point for the industry, highlighting the recovery from pandemic-era lows.

Economy

Government to launch suburban rail electrification project from 2027

Published

6 days ago

June 5, 2026

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Sri Lanka will begin a phased programme to electrify and modernise its suburban railway network starting in 2027, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena announced.

It is reported that the initiative, developed on presidential instructions, will focus on two priorities: restoring damaged railway infrastructure and introducing an electrified commuter rail system.

Officials said immediate efforts will concentrate on repairing tracks to resume services quickly, followed by slope protection measures such as retaining walls and improved drainage to minimise landslide and weather‑related risks.

In the second stage, upgrades will target key commuter corridors including the Coastal Line, the Main Line via Polgahawela and Rambukkana, and the Kelani Valley Line.

Under the Colombo suburban rail modernisation plan, electrified services are scheduled to roll out from 2027 on the Fort–Ragama, Fort–Panadura, and Maradana–Makumbura routes. These lines will later be integrated into a wider suburban rail loop designed to ease daily travel into Colombo.

The project will introduce standard‑gauge tracks (4 feet 8.5 inches) and new electric trains to support frequent short‑distance services.

Officials emphasized that the metro‑style commuter rail cannot be rolled out in one go due to its scale and cost, and will therefore be delivered in stages.

The long‑term plan envisions a complete transformation of suburban transport, with full implementation expected to take between 10 and 15 years.

Economy

Sri Lanka’s inflation could rise to 7% amid Middle East conflict and higher fuel prices – CBSL Governor

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

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Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has warned that the country’s inflation rate could increase to 7% due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising global fuel prices.

Speaking on the “360” programme aired on TV Derana last night (01), Dr. Weerasinghe stated that although it was initially anticipated that the Middle East conflict would be resolved in the short term, its prolonged duration has had significant repercussions on Sri Lanka’s economy.

He noted that fuel prices have continued to rise, creating upward pressure on inflation. According to the Governor, inflation, which is currently projected at around 5.4% to 5.5%, is likely to increase further if present trends continue.

“We have observed a continuous increase in fuel prices, while consumer demand has not shown any significant decline. Therefore, there is a risk that inflation could move beyond 5% and even reach 7% if these conditions persist,” he said.

Dr. Weerasinghe explained that the Central Bank recently tightened its monetary policy as a precautionary measure to curb inflationary pressures. He added that reducing demand over the coming months would be essential to prevent inflation from accelerating further and to maintain economic stability.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank Governor emphasized that there are no restrictions on remitting legally earned funds to Sri Lanka through the formal banking system.