US SECRETARY GENERAL NULAND CALLS ON PRESIDENT

Victoria Nuland calls on President!

Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, who arrived in Sri Lanka earlier today held a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning (30).

The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat where the President expressed gratitude for the support extended by the United States Government during difficult times.

Undersecretary Nuland has pledged to continue to support Sri Lanka.

The US Department of State said her visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of US-Sri Lanka relations.

She will also focus on the economic reforms currently being carried out in Sri Lanka, the measures taken to safeguard human rights and reconciliation.

During her stay in the country, she is scheduled to hold talks with a number of state representatives.

NEWS

Commonwealth Secretary-General & Maldives FM arrive in SL

Secretary General of the Commonwealth – Patricia Scotland and Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid have arrived in Sri Lanka today (01) to attend the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Independence of Sri Lanka.

They were warmly received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs – Tharaka Balasuriya.

NEWS

No approval for power cuts until Feb. 17 – PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has said that it will not approve any scheduled power cuts until February 17 in order to protect the rights of over 331,000 students sitting for the 2022 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.

Accordingly, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake stated that any such power cuts imposed during this period will be considered unauthorized and illegal.

Earlier today (01 Feb.), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had requested the PUCSL permission to impose power cuts for 2 hours and 20 minutes today and tomorrow (02 Feb.) after the Water Management Secretariat has restricted the release of water from reservoirs for hydro power generation since the expected rainfall was not experienced.

PUCSL files Writ application
Meanwhile, the PUCSL has filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal against the CEB, seeking a court order preventing the power interruptions imposed during the GCE A/L examination.

In addition, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union has also filed a petition with the Supreme Court over the same matter, naming the CEB chairman, the secretary to the Power & Energy Ministry, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) chairman, the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) and several others as its respondents.