28 March, 2024

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More Power To Them, No Power To Us?

By Uditha Devapriya

Uditha Devapriya

When you have so many planners but very few doers in power, this is what happens. Last week was the second or third of what was promised to be a month-long series of rolling power cuts. The Minister in charge, Ravi Karunanayake, has publicly gone on record claiming that the blame game (a reference to the tussle between the Engineers of the CEB and the Public Utilities Commission) must cease, and that, “God willing” (whatever His faith, may He be beneficent!), the rains will come by May. In any case, according to him the problem will be fully resolved by Avurudu or Vesak (he didn’t specify). He has, moreover, asked for our forgiveness.

And of course, the emergency power purchases are back. More than 500 MWs of power are to be added to the National Grid, with a couple or so power plant proposals being looked into and, possibly, approved. As of the time this piece was being written the government was in talks with Turkey to (literally) bring in about 500 to 600 MWs of barge mounted power. “Turkey is very happy,” the Minister tells us; whether or not Turkey is happy does not, however, seem to be the issue: as the JVP has pointed out, attempts are being made “to generate power through ships without paying taxes and show a lower number.” Karunanayake attributes 65% of the blame to the politicians, though the people think, justifiably, that that’s too low a figure.

There are so many things wrong with what was done, but I’ll get down to the bare essentials, the basics. First and foremost, there’s that schedule. We were promised the same routine (in the name of equality, I presume): three hours when the sun is up, one hour when the sun is down. Forget the fact that the schedule was announced long after it was implemented (and that it compelled the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Power and Energy, Sulakshana Jayawardena, to almost resign). Forget the fact that the CEB officials themselves, when contacted, had no clue whether they had imposed the cuts because of the Norochcholai issue or of the lack of rainfall.

What’s infuriating is the fact that the CEB itself didn’t seem to be doing a good job of spreading the blackouts within the country. This is not just about Colombo not, at least until recently, experiencing power cuts. This is about some areas, outside the suburbs of Colombo that is, having had to undergo power cuts amounting to even six hours a day. But even if one discounts it on the basis that the cuts were necessary to preserve what little power the electricity sector (and government) had, what could exonerate the decision to keep the capital out of the dark?

Sure, there’s talk about Colombo running on “self-generation” (which adds costs and can raise tariffs if implemented elsewhere), but I don’t imagine that to be a convincing argument to make to hundreds of thousands of outside-Colombo folks, drudging in the heat and dust of April in poorly maintained trains and buses to their places of work, who see switched on streetlights in Union Place at eight in the morning.

Until Thursday of last week, Colombo was immune from these blackouts; I assume, and not without reason, that it was the anger of the public that compelled the regime to extend the blackouts. I won’t even get started on the people’s perception of Colombo being the stronghold of the government, or one Minister’s remark that Colombo was the heart of the UNP, which heads it. But then people remember.

That’s just one issue, and it has got the attention, the fury, and the contempt it rightly deserves. There’s another issue: along with the capital city, the government had, going by reports and press releases, decided to immunise the Free Trade Export Processing Zones across the country from the outages.

No one with any level of knowledge about economics and the economic history of this country can discount the “need” for Foreign Direct Investments. No one can deny the benefits which, theoretically at least, are to be obtained by facilitating access to prime lands and exempting FDI financed export-oriented enterprises from taxes and other daily hindrances (which the power outages have, as of now, become). For meaningful investments, we need to buckle up and let these enterprises take away from our land and give back to us. Some would call it theft, and I wouldn’t disagree, but unless and until someone comes up with an alternative we need to watch and accept.

However, this does not, and indeed should not, mean that we need to watch and accept in silence as the FTZs and EPZs are being exempted from the blackouts. I say this not because I am opposed to these Zones. I say this because the conventional wisdom that they NEED to be exempted does not hold water once we compare their contribution to the export sector with the contribution of the most vibrant and most innovative and yet worst hit sector of the country, the SMEs.

Let’s crunch the numbers. According to official sources and reports, as of December 2017 the Koggala Export Processing Zone yielded revenues of US$ 122 million; as of March 2018 the Wathupitiwala EPZ yielded US$ 25.6 million; as of December 2018, the Horana EPZ USS$ 31.8 million, while the Seethawaka EPZ, the biggest earner of the lot, yielded US$ 294 million. There are 11 EPZs across the country according to investsrilanka.com; if we take as an average US$ 100 million, then we can safely say that they have, throughout 2018, earned US$ 1.1 billion in export revenues. I may be wrong there of course; however, these are conservative estimates.

Now let’s take the SME sector. Sri Lanka does not have a criterion by which we can categorise such enterprises. Taking the conservative definition – earning less than Rs. 750 million and hiring less than 300 employees (the manufacturing sector) or less than 200 employees (the services sector) – we can ascertain the scale of the contribution of these entities: they make up more than 75% of local businesses, hire more than 30% of the nation’s workforce, and contribute up to 55% of the GDP. These percentages have remained constant over a considerable period.

Like the middle class, the SMEs contribute substantially to the economy, and yet like the middle class they are also among the worst affected by government incompetence, private sector mafiadoms, and “power” cuts. Commentators have pointed out that the domestic presence of the sector is not commensurate with its presence in the export sector, given that while 80% of the nation’s 5,000 exporters are “small and medium”, they make up around 5% of its export revenues, if not less. But 5% of US$ 17 billion, the export revenue figure for 2018, is about US$ 850 million, only marginally lower than the contribution of the EPZs.

You see the point I’m trying to get at here. The power cuts showed just what the government has privileged: FDIs and big investments centred on Colombo and other major cities and outstation areas, over the small business owner. The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) has, according to the State media, thanked the regime for not implementing the blackouts in their areas. (By that logic, the Ministers themselves, whose areas have also been “power cut immunised”, should be thanking the regime.) No one seems to be talking about the SMEs though.

A study conducted in 2018 (“Sri Lankan SMEs and Perceived Export Barriers: Evidence from the Manufacturing Sector”) points out that in a typical economy the contribution of the SME sector to exports tends to hover between 30 to 50%. Over the past few decades we have seen a significant hike in that figure for SMEs in Sri Lanka. That is not enough, however; if the State had taken the trouble to raise the proportion to, say, 20%, the numbers would have proved, as they do even now, that there is much more potential in the small and medium businesses of the country than there will be in the FDIs, EPZs, and Industrial Parks being touted as mega investments. But of course, the “current” (pardon the pun) plight of the SMEs shows clearly that the government just doesn’t seem to care.

One small business owner, who’s in the construction sector, was vocal about his disappointment with the way things are going.

“I have 15 employees under me, and they work in three factories in Negombo, Marawila, and Chilaw. These power cuts cost me in terms of the man hours lost, the generators, the petrol for those generators, and the transportation of the fuel to each of the factories. That comes up to Rs. 5,000 a day. Earlier I used to earn around Rs. 200,000 as profits per month. With Rs. 5,000 going to power up these generators, how can I continue my business? The government talks about Enterprise Sri Lanka, it talks about Gamperaliya, and it talks about concessionary housing loans to newly married couples. But does it know what it’s doing? I don’t think so.”

That just about sums it up, I should think. No one seems to know what they’re doing.

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Latest comments

  • 3
    4

    “earn around Rs. 200,000 as profits per month.”

    Uditha,

    If he earns Rs. 200,000 from 3 factories he is not doing something right. Give him a few lessons in economics. ………… and give his electricity to someone more productive.

    I know coconut estates in the region that make Rs. 500,000 from just fallen nuts.


    Get rid of the silly beard ………. it’s too late to try to hide in plain sight ……… for all the crap you have written through the years ………

    • 3
      2

      ” I used to earn around Rs. 200,000 as profits per month” – Guy seems to maintain 2 sets of invoices, or better sell some snacks by a road side to get the same profit with less headache.

    • 4
      1

      nimal fernando

      I am told, in your part of the world, that is one of the English speaking countries, print media employ “Columnists” to write regular columns on any and every topic. According to well informed friends, very rarely they write on interesting and/or relevant topics however mostly what they type is about what happened, what they saw, ………. on their way to supermarket, …… loo and what happened while they were easing themselves inside it. Most columnists seem typing stories about friend of a friend of a friend of a friend … so remote you know what, basically bull.

      Coming back to our young Uditha, well my only advice to him is if he has nothing useful to say, do or type he should start reading his own “work” review them as many times as possible and file them under unknown. Can he not avoid compulsive prolificacy which he feels inevitable. Some say overwriting, in his case overtyping could be failure of connection between his brain and hands.

      • 5
        2

        Native,

        ““Columnists” to write regular columns on any and every topic.”

        Alas he is no more ……….. the only columnist I had any regard for is Charley Reese ……… he was direct, simple and to the point ……… unlike all of us non-whites…….. as a white-man, he didn’t have to continuously prove a point about his English-Language skills ……. and had the luxury of keeping his language simple but the thoughts/ideas expressed, complex.

        Try telling that to your favorite Dayan or young Uditha. Unfortunately, like many Lankan writers, the cultural cringe makes them feel they have to substitute complexity of language for complexity of ideas to hoodwink Lankans into believing they are expressing something of value.

        There are some who can pull off complexity in both …….. try Thorstein Veblen; he had a point to prove as he was shunned by the academic-establishment of the day.

        Uditha is only 24/25 ……. we should encourage him in every way ………. but should also keep the bugger honest without allowing him to get away with bullshit.

  • 6
    1

    UNP new and Old leadership agreed that their own “democracy” recognized and accepted corruption,perks and bribery is part and parcel of that RW MS and CBK’s that “good Governances”.
    The 2015 January 8th that UNP regime led by MS, RW, CBK and TNA & JVP are collectivities responsibilities of all their political decisions of action of safeguard democracy. By the way is is Not that accountability for taxpayers of that any “misdeeds” by UNP’s governances.
    Current regime wanted that People of all citizens to accept and respect all corrupations by Ranil Wick of UNP bunch of hard core leaders has RIGHT to Govern for another TERM for FIVE YEARS.!
    These are privileges an enjoy by Western Embassies in Colombo as well as UNO and UNHRC>

    • 9
      6

      Foreign Direct Investments?
      .
      Rainfall dependent power. Lack of Law & Order. Intermittent communal violences. Frequent Health sector strikes. Transport sector strikes. Expensive labour costs among other south Asian counter parts. Uncertain political stability. Corruption at all levels. Bureaucracy. Too many number of holidays. If a holiday falls on Thursday, forget Friday. Employees here leave a company if another offers just Rs 5000/mo more etc…etc
      .
      Tell me one good reason why would a foreign investor select SL to invest his money? Fixing power issue alone is not going to help us in this.

      • 6
        7

        Fathima Baby

        Rainfall dependent power.. I am struggling to understand. Rainfall depends on forestation. You deforest you interfere with the rainfall. Las time we had the close encounter you said you enjoyed my undying love for TN and India . You said you were also on holiday. You seem to take too many days off from work. Do you run Radicalisation classes. If you do can you radicalise me and I will BEHEAD all those who interere. MR GOTHA BASIL and the rest. Can you e mail me form to join your clases. Thanks.

        • 9
          6

          Hello Kali,
          .
          Yes, I remember you are the one pointing at glittering stars and call them Indian satellites, and boast India is a superpower? And I called you a stubborn kid, and ask India to build more toilets for its people first, ha..ha.. sorry :-(
          .
          “can you radicalise me”

          Kid, when you said the other day, “We were driven to fight for survival and We have no regrets and Prabakaran was our hero who proved we want take it lying down” — I thought your Prabakaran has already radicalized you. Even the simple task, your HERO left for others to do with all the fundings?
          .
          So you keep on trolling forever if someone disagrees your view in a comment? Apologies to disappoint you Kali, I am not interested in debates or arguments if they don’t profit our knowledge. Come back when you are bit more matured for an interesting debate. Good Luck!

          • 5
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            Fatima, way to chase away an annoying tiger kid

            • 4
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              Amila

              Way to chase away an annoying Tiger Kid. You mean the ISIS way. At, leasr the Tiger Kids were not BEHEADED not even by MR & GOTHA

              • 2
                2

                MR & GOTA won’t kill kids or send them as suicide bombers or transport them from SL to Canada on roofless fishing boats like your hero Prabakaran did.

                • 3
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                  Amila W

                  “MR & GOTA won’t kill kids or send them as suicide bombers or transport them from SL to Canada on roofless fishing boats like your hero Prabakaran did”

                  You are right MR and Gota won’t kill however they had their Army, Navy, Airforce, STF, …. to kill kids. In fact Kidnap, Ransom and Murder supplemented their income.

                  If Prabharan sent the kids to Canada on roofless fishing boats who were fighting for him in Vanni?

                  By the way didn’t you know Namal Baby’s blue brigade was engaged in people smuggling with the help of the Navy until the Australian Government warned Sri Lanka. This was reported in Sri Lankan media.

                  Don’t try to be too clever when you do not have facts. Please fact check before you start typing.

                  • 2
                    3

                    NV,

                    “If Prabharan sent the kids to Canada on roofless fishing boats who were fighting for him in Vanni?”

                    Didn’t you know that Prabakaran wanted just 1 kid from a family, not more. And then from where did those kids come in captured illegal boats by border guards of respective countries? Did they rent those kids from pirates on their way?

                    • 1
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                      Amila W

                      Immediately after the war had ended it was Sri Lankan Navy which did the people smuggling to Australia. There were about 6,000 landed in Australia in a short period of time, out of the the lot more than 4,000 were from south and Sinhala speaking. This was according to Australian government report.

                      For example read the excerpt:

                      ‘Something very bad was happening…’
                      It was July last year when Manoj, his wife and their children were picked up by Australian authorities as they made their way, with 37 others, on a boat from Sri Lanka. Four of the 41 were Tamils. The others, like Manoj and his family, were Sinhalese.
                      http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2015/01/31

                      My Elder who has been living in Europe for nearly 40 years tells me he often meet Sinhala refugees when he ventures out in the open. They are all not on work permit as he seemed to have help some of them with asylum application.

                      Would you classify the Sinhalese and Muslims refugees as LTTE supporters?
                      Therefore stop looking at a global problem through your Sinhala/Buddhist (fascist) bum.

                • 2
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                  Amila W

                  Why would MR & GOTHA kill those who havent reached puberty. But will kill anyone ( Thajudin ) who stands in the way if Roshitha wanted to stick his needle into the ….

                  • 2
                    2

                    kali, bad smelly TN bugger, Your (t)ruthless leader & HERO also did the same with the help of slaves like you, but end result was ZERO, you are back to be barking like this at others. You have become jokers and every makes fun of your lot now. It is best for you to go back to Toilet Nadu and settle there, you smell bad, they smell bad, good combination. SL is too hygienic place for you.
                    :-(

                    • 2
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                      Amila

                      I stood infront of a Muslim once during Ramadan . Man he was stinking from his mouth . I dont know if it was what he ate late the previous night or the empty stomach. It was about 3 PM so it could be a combination of two. So having learnt from my bad experience I dont go near a MUslim during Ramadan let alone other days. Imagine a Household full of you lot during Ramadan .

                      With regards to toilets I suggest you visit the Central London Mosque and see for yourself how primitive the Muslim Brotherhood are. I once went to a funeral there and I was disgusted.

          • 6
            6

            Fathima Baby

            China Lover dont dodge the question. Any chance of an application form. Instead of admiring other peoples dodgy ( China ) achievemnts be prood of your own such as BEHEADING. Are you scared to mention the word. Go on for once say it loud . Yes I am proud.. I cant hear you louder please

            • 0
              2

              Kali – Weren’t Tamils excited, clapped and proud every time there was a bomb blast in south killing innocent children and adults? If beheading was Islamists achievements, women suicide bomber & bombing was Tamils’ achievement. After the war, your achievements were very adventurous, “continent to continent by fishing boat”. Then another remarkable, whichever the country offered you asylum, skim the credit cards of its people in gratitude showing.

              • 3
                0

                Wahid

                For your information you havent woken up man. We did kill . Yes every time the suicide bomber sacrificing his or her life blasted a Sinkala soldier we clapped , danced around but also regretted the killing of any innocent civilians caught in the cross fire . But we dont take any blame which was the resut of the Sinhalses Atrocity. I make no apology.

                But man there is a big difference when you BEHEAD in the name of Islam and Tamils killing to survive but you kill for a living.Look around the world your religion incites violence . Sad though it is the New Zeland killing of Muslims in the Mosque is the result of Islam preaching Violence . If in doubt ask Abu Katada . Wake up man and face facts.

        • 4
          4

          “Rainfall dependent power.. I am struggling to understand. Rainfall depends on forestation” – Gooooogle “Rainfall” and “Hydropower”. You will understand.

          • 5
            5

            Wahid you Fathima Lover

            Change the word Rainfall to Waterfall and try this one

            The kinetic energy of water is when it is rushing through a river, down a waterfall or through a hydroelectric power plant. The force of the kinetic energy is dependent

            • 5
              4

              Kaaali, when Fathima called you a kid, I thought she was rude to insult you, but can realize now the fact.

              Aren’t you a dimwitted not to ask yourself from where the rivers and waterfalls get their water? Probably you thought Sri Lanka imports water and pour that into the rivers? I see that you have Googled as per my advice, thanks. But you should have read whatever found in its entirety to understand better before making yourself a joker in front of us.

              A typical attitude found among the TN lowlifes that doesn’t suit well in civilized Sri Lanka or among smart Sri Lankans – Sounds like an expired tourist visa fellow from TN to sell Indian Salwar kamees and sarees here? Please stick to watching Tamil movies to pass your spare time, and avoid giving us chance to insult you, and make us sinners .

              CT: should have blocked these types of half-baked riffraffs on its reputable forum where decent people discuss about some useful topics.

              • 4
                4

                Wahid you ignorant:

                1) Kaaali, when Fathima called you a kid, I thought she was rude to insult you, but can realize now the fact.
                *** So Wahid you have now been enlightened by Fathima You are not qualified to insult any one when you are the most hated religion in the World for your barabaric behaviour BEAHID in the name of Religion. Try defending you idiot.

                2) A typical attitude found among the TN lowlifes that doesn’t suit well in civilized Sri Lanka or among smart Sri Lankans –

                *** You call Sri Lanka a civilsed Country ask BBS. You must be out of your mind just ask how many Mosques have been destroyed by BBS How many smart Sri Lankans do you have . Can you name one Smart Islamist in Sri Lanka

                *** Sounds like an expired tourist visa fellow from TN to sell Indian Salwar kamees and sarees here? Please stick to watching Tamil movies to pass your spare time, and avoid giving us chance to insult you, and make us sinners .

                *** By the way what films do you watch
                Sinkalam , Tamil , English Chinese.

                I take it you watch Pakistani , and Saudi Arabian films . Do you produce any of your own. I wold like to see one. Do you sing any songs. I bet you thought A R Rahman was born Muslim.

                I take it CT have blocked all your films and songs . How sad

                • 5
                  4

                  kali Kid, – Do you know how to stick posters on walls? Probably we can make occupied with that We will provide you with a bicycle, “paapa Baldi”, a brush and a dinner packet too. Interested?

                  • 2
                    2

                    Mohd: ( Mohid Mohammed)

                    It looks lke you another JIHADI has taken a VISVARUPAM. I didnt realise that I have hit the raw nerve of many JIHADIS. You all have run out of amunition.. But what is the message on the posters you ignorant. Will it be BEAHEAD every non believer or will it be insult the non believer.
                    It started with RAINFALL and ended with a DROUGHT. ( Total black out of any knowledge .) Sad. ( or should I say Saeed)

                    By the way the Tiger kids started putting posters ” Sinkalams ” OUT and it ended with “HAT FLIPPERS” out and infact they were driven out.

                    • 3
                      3

                      kali, we suggest you are the best fit for sticking election posters on city walls during wee hours, even overtime is guaranteed. Which party or politician not your concern, you just need to follow the orders and show your skills. You take up?

                  • 2
                    4

                    no..no Mohd, I suggest Kali is a best fit for picking dirty laundry from door to door to the washer. At least the guy will have a permanent job, unlike sticking posters on walls during elections

                    • 3
                      1

                      Wahid& Mohid,

                      Why are you dodging the issue. Posters carry a message. The current World topic is ISIS BEHEADING. and the beating given to ISIS. So I presume that will be the message. I have got CAMEL Kids who will post them for free of charge . Are you ashamed to use the Word BEAHEADING. Be proud( at least you have an achievemnt to show ) man and say We Muslims are proud to be Smart Muslims. Halal meat is produduced by slitting the throat of the Animal. That is happens when you BEHEAD. It is in your religion . If in dubt ask Grandma Fathima.

                    • 3
                      0

                      Wahid & Mohid,

                      Just one question Camel Kids you have given the game away. You say we suggest meaning Grandma Fathima, Wahid Mohid Amila W ( the Islamic State) . But dont forget the whole World joined forces and destroyed you. Shamina Bebum lost three Kids after joining the IS brainwashed by people lke you. . Without wishing to be cruel dare I say they could have posted the Posters. You started off saying you are smart and wanted to insult but do you realise you are being insuted for who you are and what you are. SCUM BAGS of the World.

                    • 3
                      2

                      Mohd, Kali doesn’t seem to like our suggestion. Is there a cinnamon plantation around? Probably we can make him a water-boy there. He will like that ancestral job. Kali, are you,ok?

                    • 1
                      0

                      Wahid,

                      Posters , Stickers , Cinnamon , Laundry and Friday Prayers.. Any new words in your vocabulary.

  • 7
    2

    Uditha, US puppet, Bondscam Ranil and his rotten mafia must be gotten rid of.
    The latest fake development scam is new SMART street lights, although there is no electricity! Minister Vajira Abeywardena, Internal & Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has put forward a proposal to implement the project for the replacement of conventional street lights with Smart controlled LED street lights by awarding the same to the Korean Telecom Cooperation. This is to do surveillance and collect BIG DATA
    Spending funds that the govt does not have – on surveillance of the people with new lights when it is the corrupt politicians that need surveillance?
    This is part of the Sri Lanka BIG DATA and surveillance plan by Trumpland with its proxies – Korea and Japan -who want to own and mine Sri Lanka’s Big Data, fix election,s and control the island -in the Cold War against China. The security fantasy of a doomed empire..
    This is Another fake development project with more debt – just like the 150 Ford Ambulances and the 150 Mercedes Ambulances and health info- biometric electronic card and unnecessary free health insurance for School Children to a German Company Alliance -billions spent by GoSl when Sri lanka has free health care and Children are healthy and low risk group.
    As in energy sectors there is also Massive Corruption in health and education sector. Sri Lanka population is to be fully surveilled by foreign parties which have access to health systems data platforms.

    • 2
      3

      Hey Dinuk, Donstanley whatever,
      Why don’t you stop writing repetitious crap about things you don’t know about?
      “-who want to own and mine Sri Lanka’s Big Data, fix election,s and control the island -in the Cold War against China. The security fantasy of a doomed empire..”
      Yes, this big data might be a good idea if it reveals your true identity, a bored old woman in an asylum.

      • 2
        1

        CIA drone Raman, you sound frantic!

        BTW. When are your 150 reinforcements from the US Fake Peace Corps. with tax free, diplomatic impunity/ immunity descending on Lanka — to fix the elections??

        October 2019 is D-day and seems the reason that free visas are to be issued to all and sundry to confuse everyone?!

        • 1
          0

          Suriya , Dinuk, Donstanley, etc
          For f….k ‘s sake, can’t you write ANYTHING without all that bombastic jargon???
          Get yourself a boyfriend.

      • 1
        1

        The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the World Bank group has granted Sri Lanka USD 1.8 million to implement the Climate Mitigation Action Support Project.
        Another surveillance and BIG DATA platform project! What is really needed is a FOREIGN AID Fake development projects corruption monitoring and reporting system in Sri Lanka!
        So now we have an explanation for the FAKE NEWS about ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS and hot weather in Lanka, tho’ April which is always a hot month!!
        The country is a development disaster because of Washington Consensus MIC Debt trap policy. But never mind.
        The jargon filled objectives of this new World Bank surveillance Project for gather BIG DATA on Sri Lanka are: to strengthen capacities and systems to implement national climate change policies, strategies and actions; and to design or strengthen market/non-market mitigation instruments. Those objectives will be achieved by designing and implementing an optimal policy package, designing a national monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) and registry system, piloting a national MRV system, with an initial focus on project/facility-level emissions and emission reductions, designing the institutional, legal and technical framework to support the enhanced, Piloting the enhanced Sri Lanka Carbon Crediting Scheme (SLCCS), developing a roadmap for a new carbon pricing instrument (CPI) and carrying out a program of activities that support consultation… and the plot thickens.
        What is really needed is a FOREIGN AID Fake development projects corruption monitoring and reporting system in Sri Lanka!

  • 4
    3

    Young Uditha is a writer with no mean ability. But his knowledge of electrical power distribution is sadly lacking.
    Dear Uditha, the SME’s and the EPZ’ s CANNOT be treated equally in terms of power cuts. Power is distributed via things called substations . There is usually a substation in each EPZ , but the SME’s are scattered all over. It would be a nightmare to isolate them from the surrounding consumers. Yes, the EPZ’s could be disconnected, but why cut off ones nose to spite ones face?

    • 4
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      These are problems Mahinda should have solved with his mythical abilities while he was the prime minister for 52 days. Why leave for others ………if one loves the country so much and want power for nothing other than to serve the people …… everyone knows Ranil and the UNP are useless

      For him with his abilities EPZ’s and SME’s are just bread and butter stuff …….

      • 2
        1

        Nimal,
        Lots and lots of bread. Enough for 3 Rajapaksa generations

  • 5
    0

    To whom so ever it may concern!
    Although we were in ‘power’ immediately after the elections, we started losing our ‘power’ every month there after. Now, we have lost our power complete. Hence we have to ‘buy power’ from what ever source and whatever cost it may be.

  • 2
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    At this rate we will have to introduce a magistrate/High court at the doorstep of each ministry to ensure they do the right thing.

  • 2
    0

    Try and put a solar farm and see the corrupt and stupid obstacles put by the politicians.

  • 2
    0

    Uditha has got into this numbers manipulation.
    He talks “Them and Us”.
    The Uditha-‘Us’ does not include “Others”.
    The ‘Others’ are the second class Lankans.

  • 4
    3

    Ranil talks about making Sri Lanka the ‘Economic Hub’ and ‘Financial Hub’ of Asia but being in power for four years could not take measures to prevent power cuts.
    ————
    There was a discussion on this issue in ‘Aluth Parlimentuwa’ program in TV Derana with five people from CEB. According to them, they had done their job of making predictions and measures to be taken but politicians have failed to act. As a result these bloody politicians are wasting tax payers’ money. But they are not worried about that. For his failure, Ravi Karunanayake should resign from the Minister post.

    • 0
      2

      How can we be sure if had problem that needed power cuts or they are just political dramas to power some blame-game?

  • 5
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    First off, cut the power to the President’s and PM’s offices and residences, the ministers offices and residences, and to the parliament and all 225 MP’s residents and to all CEB employees’s offices and homes for it’s they who caused and responsible for this power cut, and should face the consequences. They are all free loaders and enjoying all the perks, including stand by power to boot, at the expenses of the people. This is how they treat us the paying customers and the people who voted for them to sort out all these issues and make our lives better. Look, since the last power plant was built ten years ago, if they had the wills and desires, they could have easily at least put up three plants each year, and by now recouped their investments too. Why all these delays and playing football with it, only owing to stinking bloody commissions. Next time around none of them should be voted to power, and it’s high time to privatise CEB for being state owned they are not caring for the people or the country. See how all of them cut the power – at midday when it’s extremely hot and in the night when people about to go to sleep. This is inhuman and heartless actions of these damp rascals and all of them should be chased out, sooner the better. Providing power is not a rocket science, and there are many ways to do it. In the middles east, when it’s 48*C they have uninterrupted power, and the same in Alaska when it’s minus 40 but bloody shame in Sri Lanka, no rain and no power. All those who responsible for this are utter bloody donkeys for putting the poor people into miseries.

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    Thanks dude.
    I don’t think even the Minister of Power knows what you seem to know about relationship between Electricity and the Lankan Economy and the Well being of the Country..

    The Minister is too busy praying to Power Gods in Turkey along side Cloud Seeding to solve our crisis in Electricity .

    When the Chinese built Noroncholi (?) , these same Power Minister and his Buddies bagged the Chinese to Buggery.

    For 4 years ,this Power Minister was holding the keys to the Treasury,
    But did bugger all to invest in Power Plants , because the “Cut” was not right.

    Instead they went for the easy option of Bond Trading and collected Billions in just 6 Months.
    And this Power Minister got a nice Penthouse in Kollupitiya.
    Although it cost him the Finance Minster Gig,
    And lost his mateship with Dr Ranil too.

    With Dr Ranil’s new buddy Champka who knows a bit about “Power” both Electrical and Political watching over the new Power Minster , ‘ deals with juicy ” Cut” are becoming harder to get.

    Wonder how much the Turks have put aside on their Power Barges to make both them and the Power Minster so happy?..

    Thank God our Dalits don’t have A/Cs…

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      KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera

      Could you enlighten us with facts about Lakvijaya Power Station?
      Who was in charge for the negotiations, construction, maintenance of this power plant?
      When was it built and how much did it cost?
      Since commissioning how many days has this plant remained open and produce electricity?
      How much did repairs cost this plant since its commission?
      Who was the president and finance minister from 2005 to 2015 when this project was authorised, built and run?
      The minister who was incharge of this project is still walking tall as if he had no responsibility over one of the biggest economic cock up.
      Did you know he is one of the biggest public racist in modern times?

      Was he living in cloud cuckoo land?
      Were you living in cloud cuckoo land?
      Are you living/hiding in Cloud Accounting Software?

      You should look back.

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    Ranil wants to take over power sector management. The fox getting ready for another feast !

    Luckily for the country, the sick joker has only a few more weeks.

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    Sri Lanka will remain a THIRD WORLD country for many years tocome. The gap between the wealthy and poor is wider than largest ocean.

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    The supposed insult by Smart and Civilsed Sri Lankans who wanted to shut me up has turned into an impressive list of silly assholes who can only sling mud.

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      kali, a silly lowlife like you deserve anything other than insults? Had you been under VP, he would have chopped you to feed other starving rebels and said “only way he could help us”. Be thankful to MR & Gota, you are alive. And we too found you okay to stick posters.

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        So Wahid,

        There is no need to ger AGITATED . You lose the temper you lose the case which is even worse if you dont have debating skills . Like a mushroom why dont you find another JIHADI name. At least I have a life even if in your words it is low which is factually not correct but you dont have a life at all . US & Russia have destroyed you and even the Wahabis hate you. We did have a low life soon after Nanthikadal Whether you Silly Asshole ( You are not a Smat Ass) like it or not but have risen above it. Tell that to your lover Fathima the Grandma. Man face facts and admint you are the Scurge of the World. So MR Gotha , Stickers , Cinnaman Water are your Theme words. And finally you admit you do CHOP at least I have managed to ger it out of your mouth. The word BEHEADING ( Chop) keep taking the message and finally we can openly discuss the abhorent word . Pass the message on to Grandma Fathima , Mohid , Amila W that accidntally you have spilt the beans and admitted to BEHEADING (. CHOPPER) . Wait to hear from the Islamic World for more discussion. INSHALLAH

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    Amila W

    I am truly amazed at the level of intelligence ofJIHADISTS like you . No wonder the Muslim World is the laughing stock of the World. and is in total disarray . Sunis killing Shia killing Sunny. Wahabis killing Mugabe and so on. The only commodity you have is Oil, Dates and Plenty of Choppers (JIHADISTS ) . But you are refusing to mention the word BEHEADING and trying to divert the attention. . You are right it is better to Chop Cinnamon than Humans especially Westerners.. First Posters then Watering an I wonder what next what about Friday Prayers.
    Smart assholes are being insulted and humliated . INSHALLA

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      “The only commodity you have is Oil, Dates and Plenty of Choppers (JIHADISTS ) ” – Not only Oil and Dates, they also have too many Tamil Nadu and Jaffna slaves in excess also. But unlike Whites, JIHADISTS don’t give a damn sh..it to wave your Tiger flag, or skim credit cards, or land illegally in their lands, or raise fund to support local terrorists – For them, you ugly teeny-weenies are just another set of slave roaches used for looking after their camels.

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        So Wahid,

        Info Lanka has been frozen for 2 days so we have time on our hand.

        The Islamic State headed by Grandma Fathima started this so let us finish it. I dont normally attack a Rligion but in this case you dererve everthing I throw at you. This is a fight to the finish and Winner takes all. I reilsh a fight when I see weakness. You call yourself SMART but frankly you are not with no debating skills.

        1) The only commodity you have is Oil, Dates and Plenty of Choppers (JIHADISTS ) ” they also have too many Tamil Nadu and Jaffna slaves in excess
        *** For your information all the maids from Sri Lanka are your kind “Muslims” The Saudis look down on Sri Lakan Muslims and treat them like slaves and do you know how mant tried to break free. Jaffna Tamis will never serve a Muslim Master.

        2) also. But unlike Whites, JIHADISTS don’t give a damn:

        *** Yes you are right and they went on BEHEADING despite the warning and that is why they were bombed out. from Iraq Syria and so on. Now they dont exist.

        3) sh..it to wave your Tiger flag, or skim credit cards, or land illegally in their lands, or raise fund to support local terrorists – For them, you ugly teeny-weenies are just another set of slave roaches used for looking after their camels

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    3) h..it to wave your Tiger flag, or skim credit cards, or land illegally in their lands, or raise fund to support local terrorists – For them, you ugly teeny-weenies are just another set of slave roaches used for looking after their camels

    *** What are you tlking about make some sense man . You are wobbling . We havent ocuied ny and illegally . We had two seperate kingdom untill the portugese arrived although BBS nd MR might dispute it You have no land in Sri Lanka . Let us get the facts right. Camesl by the ay is your pet.

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      kali, ” We had two seperate kingdom untill the portugese arrived ” – Ha..ha..that is the LTTE version of SL history. The real history is that your existence started after Dutch wanted to develop their tobacco business, and brought slaves to water the plants from TN and settle them here forcefully.

      Because of ignorant cockroach like you, I have to call your ancestors – First improve your English. Go away, kirukku paye

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        Wahid,

        Here is something for you to read with your tiny brain. if you have one

        We had two kingdoms and you are no body in Sinhala Lanka. Just a Squatter . During Tamil rule we built 3 famous temples Nallur , Koneswaram & Ketheeswaram in Mannar
        1) Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee (Tamil: திருக் கோணேச்சரம் கோயில்) or Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple – The Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina-Then Kailasam is a classical-medieval Hindu temple complex in Trincomalee, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The most sacred of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka, it was built significantly during the reign of the early Cholas and the Five Dravidians of the Early Pandyan Kingdom atop Konesar Malai, a promontory overlooking Trincomalee District, Hindu shrines on the promontory with a colossal gopuram tower, it stood distinctly on the cape’s highest eminence.

        More to follow Enjoy it or Envy It

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        Wahid

        Part 2

        Ketheeswaram temple (Tamil: திருக்கேதீஸ்வரம் Tirukkētīsvaram) is an ancient Hindu temple in Mannar, Northern Province Sri Lanka[2]. Overlooking the ancient period Tamil port towns of Manthai and Kudiramalai, the temple has lay in ruins, been restored, renovated and enlarged by various royals and devotees throughout its history. Tirukkētīsvaram is one of the Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and is venerated by Shaivas throughout the continent.[2] Throughout its history, the temple has been administered and frequented by Sri Lankan Hindu Tamils. Its famous tank, the Palavi tank, is of ancient antiquity and was restored from the ruins. Tirukkētīsvaram is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Shiva glorified in the poems of the Tevaram.

        Literary and inscriptional evidence of the post classical period (300BC-1500AD) attests to the upkeep of the temple during the ancient period by kings of the Pallava, Pandyan Dynasty and Chola dynasties who contributed to its development up to the late 16th century. In 1575, Tirukkētīsvaram was largely destroyed by Portuguese colonials, with Pujas terminating at the shrine in 1589. Following an appeal by Arumuka Navalar in 1872, the temple was rebuilt at its original site in 1903.

        Thrird Temple Nallur

        The existence of the famous temle is Guaranteed by India . If in doubt ask CBK .

        So stop being an idiot and a fool.

        Enjoy it or Envy it

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          kali, Okay, okay I felt sorry for you when you brought a long list of Kovils to prove your ancestry. But it is only a “sorry”, doesn’t mean I believed you, okay?

          But all these Kovils as proof are Tiger tactics to support you existed long before Dutch – what happened to the people who worshiped in all these Kovils? Maybe people from TN swam, worshiped and left on daily basis?

          Bro, I am making more and more fun of you, which is sadistic. Get lost man without making me a sinner!

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            Wahid

            Sadly this is the Islamic way. How can you make fun out of others when you are the laughing stock in terms of your achievements behaviour and as a force in the World . Give me a list of your achivements as Muslims then I will think of changing my views. It is only muslims who are being spat at blown off for what you are who you are. Wake up man and take stock of your place in the World. Just look at Trump. Who did he bar from enetering USA only Muslims. He didnt even bar Blacks. You are the bottom of the pile and in the gutter. I think you are mental

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              “Loosu boy”, I heard Trump saying “Thank god, SL is far enough, I don’t have to deal with (fishing) boat people”, and poor unfortunate Aussies, having to spend millions on ads to say “you’re not welcome” for not being their fault. And you, a “loosu paya” trying hard to put lipstick on pigs. He..he..

              You expect me to list down Muslim achievements in multiple comments? LOL. Google please if curious. Don’t stop keep me entertained please

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            Wahid

            I am begining to wonder whether you have any brains at all. I dont know whether to laugh or cry. You say that Temples which were built thousands of yers ago are Tigers propaganda war. You really are an Idiot and an Ignorant so and so. . Your claim to being a Smart Sri Lankan is for others to judge based on your debating skills you are a silly ass.

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        Wahid

        What language do you speak . Cant be Tamil beacause you are not Tamil. Cant be Sonhalese because you are stateless .Must be Arabic because the Mother tongue of Jihadist Choppers is Arabic ( kirukku paye).

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    Wahid

    I hope you enjoyed my last piece or hated it because it is full of rich Tamil history. Would you like to share it if you have one. Not CHOP CHOP CHOP. Have you heard of ” Aru[padai Veedu” and Nallur Kandan which is one of them.
    If and when you respond please speak English and dont use “Cockroach ” as a vehicle to travel that reminds me of Evolution Table such as” Pullahi Poondai Pluvai ” and so on .

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