Aaron’s six wickets help S. Thomas’ take first innings lead
Matt Henry six-for and Will Young hundred crush India
Diyansa, Lihini reach U18 girls final
CDB and HNB ‘A’ clash in final today
Maris Stella and Nimala Maria Convent emerge overall champions
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable energy and strengthening international cooperation in clean energy at the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, held in New Delhi recently alongside the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026.
Muhammadu Ilyas Muhammadu Arkam, Deputy Minister of Energy, represented the Government of Sri Lanka at the Assembly and delivered Sri Lanka’s National Statement during the High-Level Ministerial Segment.
In his statement, the Deputy Minister reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 70 per cent by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality in the electricity generation sector by 2050, in line with Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
He outlined Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand renewable energy capacity while strengthening the resilience, reliability and efficiency of the national electricity system. These include initiatives relating to green hydrogen, electric mobility and charging infrastructure, battery energy storage systems and the strengthening and modernisation of the national electricity grid.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted Sri Lanka’s significant potential for further renewable energy development. Particular attention was drawn to opportunities for floating solar projects in identified reservoirs, as well as solar and wind development in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions. The ongoing development of wind power projects in Mannar and the assessment of Sri Lanka’s offshore wind potential were also highlighted as areas of future opportunity.
Sri Lanka further emphasised the importance of technology, knowledge-sharing, investment and capacity-building in translating its renewable energy ambitions into tangible outcomes.
Sri Lanka’s participation in the ISA Assembly also provided an opportunity to advance its cooperation with India in the renewable energy sector. On the sidelines of the Assembly, Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas met with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy of India Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, and President of the International Solar Alliance, to discuss ways of further strengthening India-Sri Lanka cooperation under the ISA framework.
The discussions covered practical areas of cooperation including solar integration with the national grid, energy storage, digital grid management, floating solar and solarisation of agriculture, as well as opportunities to translate existing cooperation into concrete projects. Particular attention was given to the operationalisation of the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the University of Moratuwa, which provides a platform for strengthening Sri Lanka’s technical capacity and application of solar technologies. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of practical cooperation, technology and knowledge-sharing in supporting Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition and strengthening energy security.
Sri Lanka has also been working closely with the ISA on a number of initiatives, including the establishment of the STAR-C at the University of Moratuwa, the development of a digital system to facilitate the approval of solar energy projects, cooperation on solar applications in agriculture, and support for floating solar development and the preparation of a National Solar Energy Roadmap for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has been a member of the International Solar Alliance since 2018 and has continued to play an active role in the Alliance’s institutional and regional work. During 2025 – 2026, Sri Lanka served as Vice-President of the ISA Standing Committee representing the Asia and Pacific region and as Chair of the ISA Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific.
Sri Lanka has also served as Rapporteur of the ISA Standing Committee, reflecting its active contribution to the governance and work of the Alliance.
At the Ninth Assembly, Member Countries considered the progress of ISA programmes and initiatives and discussed priorities for the next phase of global solar cooperation, including mobilising investment, expanding solar applications in agriculture, strengthening energy resilience, developing new technologies and deepening capacity-building and knowledge-sharing.
The Assembly also reaffirmed India’s leadership of the Alliance, with it being elected to a third consecutive term as President of the International Solar Alliance, with France continuing as Co-President.
Sri Lanka’s participation in the Ninth ISA Assembly reflects its continued commitment to working with India, the International Solar Alliance and its Member Countries to advance renewable energy, strengthen energy security and promote a sustainable, affordable and resilient energy future.
Australian community award for Sri Lankan
Ravi pleads with HSBC to retain its vast local operation employing several thousand Lankans
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Leaders of the United States, China and Russia are set to hold an unprecedented three-way meeting next week, the White House has said.
US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China’s tech hub, the White House assistant press secretary confirmed in an announcement.
The talks will be held nine months after the last nuclear arms treaty between Washington and Moscow expired, leaving the world’s two countries with the largest atomic arsenals without caps for the first time in more than 50 years.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that kissing Kawanthissa, the deceased tusker, was worthier than kissing the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa criticised the Government’s relationship with international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), while raising concerns over the country’s poverty levels.
Referring to a 2025 World Bank report, he said 61.1% of Sri Lanka’s population was estimated to be living on less than US$8.30 a day in 2025.
Premadasa questioned the Government’s approach towards international financial institutions, saying the IMF, World Bank and ADB were among the institutions that the Government preferred to “kiss and hug”.
During his speech, he produced a document carrying a photograph of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya greeting the then IMF chief with an embrace.
“I shouldn’t be showing this against the Prime Minister, but here’s an image of you kissing. That’s fine; it’s the normal way of greeting someone,” he said.
Referring to criticism over his widely publicised gesture of kissing Kawanthissa, Premadasa said Government members had failed to understand the significance of the gesture.
He maintained that showing affection towards the deceased tusker was more meaningful and worthy than such gestures towards the IMF chief.
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others were remanded until November 26 by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday over a confrontation at a protest site near the historic Ruwanwelisaya.
The seven suspects, including four Buddhist monks and three civilians, were arrested following a clash on Thursday (12) between two groups at the site.
They were produced before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne on charges of assaulting and injuring Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thera and obstructing police duties.
Saddharathana Thera sustained head injuries during the confrontation and was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
The suspects had been staging a fast-unto-death protest near the Ruwanwelisaya in opposition to the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.
Police said the group had continued the protest despite previous court orders to vacate the area.
The Chief Magistrate, who visited the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to inspect the monks and civilians receiving treatment, ordered that all seven suspects undergo drug tests and that a report be submitted to court.
The Magistrate also ordered that a psychiatric medical report be obtained concerning Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera.Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler said two women were among the civilians arrested in connection with the incident.
The Magistrate further directed Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to produce Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in connection with an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear for a case there on November 11, and subsequently report back to the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
Police took the suspects into custody following the confrontation between the group led by Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and another group led by Rajanganaye Saddharathana.
Continue Reading Latest Trending Foreign News 15 hours ago Measles-associated deaths reach 10 in US after two more deaths reported News 15 hours ago Trump, Xi and Putin to hold first three-way summit in China Weather 19 hours ago Showers will occur in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces Sports 19 hours ago Aaron’s six wickets help S. Thomas’ take first innings lead News 21 hours ago Kissing Kawanthissa worthier than embracing IMF Chief, says Sajith News 21 hours ago Seven remanded over Ruwanwelisaya clash News 5 years ago ‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’ News 6 years ago Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines News 6 years ago #SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines News 6 years ago Sunday Island – 28th March News 6 years ago Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March News 6 years ago Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines Trending Features 7 days ago Sarojini Kadirgamar –a lady for all seasons
Why the Jaffna Man Eats So Much Murunga
GMOA seeks restoration of duty-free vehicle permits
Sri Lankan Airlines loss amplified to Rs35Bn by monetary debasement
Government makes charity difficult in Sri Lanka – Pethiyagoda
Iran allows ship carrying fertiliser for SL to pass Strait of Hormuz
Failure to heed PM’s directive worsened Colombo floods: Patali
When preachers and sinners switch roles
Copyright © 2020 Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. Solution by LankaCom Privacy Policy
Loading comments…