UPFA coalition member party – Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and government Minister Champika Ranawaka has said he is ashamed and angered about the present state of affairs in the country and of the multiple chances that were missed by the Rajapaksa regime to change the country’s governance system for the better.
Minister Champika Ranawaka
In an interview with the local mainstream Sinhala newspaper, Lankadeepa Ranawaka has pledged they have embarked on a journey to stand up and respond to those who deceived the masses, pointing out that despite the momentous people’s mandate which this government received, the Rajapaksa regime has failed to take concrete steps to do what is best for the country and its people.
“Individuals are not important to us and this government should firstly keep it in their minds. . . This country needs a social, political and economic transformation and we are ready to work with any group that is interested in creating that shift. Even Mahinda Rajapaksa can do it but for that he needs to return to the positions he maintained in 2005,” Ranawaka has stated in the interview adding, “Despite the significant power the present government wields, what have they done? There was plenty of scope to establish the Jana Sabha concept to empower district secretariats and implement changes to the electoral system. But nothing has been done – the government is in a precarious position. . .”
He has gone on to state the government has failed to translate their election triumphs into a political victory.
“The UNP, despite losing the election appears to have won because those who were supporting the government have shifted their support sensing the erosion – the government has lost the support of social groups, entrepreneurs and businessmen who were earlier backing them,” Ranawaka has stated.
maya / October 23, 2014
First I thought he had some talent. Then i met him asked a few questions, he is nothing but against all religions… If u r so unhappy why do u still occupy the seat of Science n tech minister? Another useless bugger that need to be used fot the country, SL…..
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Pot Shot / October 24, 2014
So Mr. Ranawaka the file is out on you. You have to reconsider you stance and stay with the government I guess. Remember when you play with fire it will eventually burn you to cinder. See today’s article in the island
Foul coal deal costs CEB Rs. 1.5 billion
October 23, 2014, 12:00 pm
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by Saman Indrajith
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had suffered a loss of Rs. 1,507,044,116.25 due to substandard coal imported for the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant in 2012, Power Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament yesterday.
Minister Wanniarachchi said: “This loss was due to a massive fraud which took place before I assumed duties as the Minister of Power and Energy. It happened during the tenure of my predecessor. Investigations are underway and I am ready to take action against anyone irrespective of their positions.”
Responding to a question raised by UNP National List MP Harsha de Silva, the minister said that she had handed over the investigations to the CID.
Minister Wanniarachchi said the CID had commenced investigations into a recently imported consignment of coal for the Norochcholai Power Plant. Two ships which brought in coal in September 2012 could not unload full consignments owing to inclement weather. “Therefore an agreement was reached with the supplier to sell the 85,891 MT coal consignment and supply a similar quantity ofcoal conforming to the same standards at the same price subsequently; besides an urgent tender for five shipments of coal was awarded to recover the loss incurred. A CID investigation is also being carried out into the importation of a coal consignment of 149,932 MT in November 2012.”
Minister Wanniarachchi said that Taurian Iron and Steel Company (Pvt) Ltd (TISCL) had been offered an urgent coal supply in keeping with the agreement between Lanka Coal Company and Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd on June 29, 2012. The TISCL had performed as the importer, she added. The importer had been selected by the Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd. “As per a report by the CEB on 29.07.2013, a loss of Rs. 852,768,000 has been incurred in generating electricity by burning coal. In addition, it was calculated that the loss due to the supply of 29,896 MT less than the agreed quantity of coal at the same price was Rs 654,276,116.25. Accordingly, the total loss was Rs. 1,507,044,116.25.”
“It was reported by the CEB that it had not noticed anything wrong with the coal. But, documents pertaining to the agreement signed between Lanka Coal Company and Ceylon Shipping Corporation on June 29,2012, the laboratory reports of the samples obtained at the loading port and laboratory reports of the samples at the time of unloading, revealed that the calorific value of the relevant coal consignment calculated at the point of power generation by burning that consignment of coal was less. The Lanka Coal Company has taken steps to recover the loss in keeping with the Attorney General’s advice.”
Minister Wanniarachchi’s predecessor and incumbent Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka, too, was present in the Chamber, but he remained silent.
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