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Fresh chapter for George Keyt Foundation: Renewed commitment to Sri Lankan art ecosystem

The George Keyt Foundation (GKF), dedicated to preserving the legacy of modernist painter George Keyt and fostering local art, has announced strategic appointments to its leadership team, bringing together a mix of global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic passion. These enhancements aim to inject fresh expertise and academic depth into the Foundation’s long-term vision.

New Advisory Committee

To broaden its operational reach and deepen its engagement with the global art market, the George Keyt Foundation has established an Advisory Committee. The newly appointed committee members include:

Dr. Sujatha Meegama is a Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Art History at the Courtauld. She is an acclaimed art historian, author and academic, bringing specialised knowledge in South Asian art history to guide the foundation’s curatorial and educational directives.

Dr. Shamil Wanigaratne: A clinical psychologist, author, and avid art historian, Shamil will lend his unique perspective to help the foundation design meaningful public outreach and cultural preservation strategies.

Abbas Esufally: A veteran corporate leader and patron of the arts, Abbas is transitioning from his role as a GKF Trustee to this advisory position, where he will continue to offer his sharp business acumen and extensive network.

New Trustee

Leesha Captain has been appointed to the Board of Trustees. Inspired by Sri Lankan artists, Leesha is a recognised supporter of the local art scene. Leesha’s hands-on perspective will strengthen the foundation’s core team as they develop and design new art programs.

Vision for the future

‘These new appointments mark an exciting chapter for us as we build on our decades-long history of promoting Sri Lankan artists,’ says Chairman Malaka Talwatte. ‘The combination of Leesha on the board, alongside the diverse expertise of our new Advisory Committee, will significantly amplify our efforts in curating high-profile exhibitions and expanding local and international partnerships’.

6 Inmates Complete Qur’an Memorisation

Six inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton Karfe, Kogi State, have completed the recitation and memorisation of the Holy Qur’an.

The inmates achieved the feat through structured religious instruction and personal discipline, with some of them having little or no previous experience in Qur’anic studies before their incarceration.

The Controller of Corrections, Kogi State Command, Hadiza Inna Aminu, said the Quranic programme was part of efforts to equip inmates with values and skills that would enable them to contribute positively to society after their release.

She commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for providing strategic direction for educational, vocational and moral programmes across custodial facilities.

The Koton Karfe Custodial Centre said the achievement was in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, which emphasises the reformation, rehabilitation and social reintegration of inmates.

It added that the Nigerian Correctional Service, in partnership with the Koton Karfe Muslim Community, provided financial support to each of the graduands to assist their personal development and reintegration into society.

The Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Emmanuel Dangana, commended the state command and local religious leaders for supporting the comprehensive development of inmates.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Superintendent of Corrections Mohammad Zaik, urged the graduands to maintain their moral conduct and called on other inmates to continue praying for peace and unity in the country.

Ustaz Isah Usman, who represented the Council of Ulama, also commended the command for its rehabilitation efforts and pledged the council’s continued support.

The graduands were presented with copies of the Holy Qur’an and certificates, while special prayers were offered for Kogi State, the Correctional Service and the nation.

Why journalists will always be journalists

It is often said that ‘once a journalist, always a journalist’.

This is not an empty statement. Rather, it is a testament that the tenets of journalism last forever in anyone that has had the privilege to practice journalism at whatever level, even when they move into other stations of life.

Journalists – current and former – regale in this and many indeed live this truism. You can tell this by looking at how they behave, their attitudes towards public issues, etc.

For example, retired – and even tired – journalists hardly lose interest in news and things happening around them. They follow events with the keenness of a reporter even when they have no platform to report because they know that knowing what is happening puts one ahead of those that live in information oblivion.

Journalists also tend to retain that sixth sense that triggers skepticism. Good journalists – practicing or not – do not take anything at its face value. They leave that element of doubt; the one that triggers questions, tests the facts, draws parallels, etc.

In journalism schools of old, this was usually put bluntly: ‘If your mother says she loves you, check it out!’ Do her actions show love or not?

The tenets of balance and the right of reply teach journalists a lifelong lesson about the multiplicity of perspectives and the necessity of moderation. That is, every story has two or more sides to it. Every view has a contrary view. There are many perspectives to every issue. And there are many angles to a single picture.

‘Journalists forever’ therefore do not jump to conclusions at the drop of a hat, and do not lock themselves to a position without hearing the other side of the story. They also understand that the angle one is standing at in relation to the object determines what they will see and what they may not see.

Then there is the news or information frames. Lifelong journalists know that every piece of information or news that is put out to the public comes in frames that are designed to emphasise the part one wants you to see. While the image in the frame may be exact, it is not the whole picture. Often what is outside the frame may be the bigger picture so again an element of caution and inquiry is a most prudent approach to issues.

Journalists may, in the course of their careers, jump over dead bodies or the most grisly circumstances to bring the story to the public. But they are not like soldiers to whom the end justifies the means.

Journalists are trained to be fair, to minimise harm, to promote harmony, not conflict, to step back when necessary because no story is worth a life – of the journalists or the subjects.

A journalist for life will, therefore, continue to behave as such whether they are in an active newsroom, in retirement of in another role. It means they can always be trusted to do the right things, to say the right things or not to say and do the wrong things.

That said, the ‘once a journalist, always a journalist’ tag also carries another perception that is often used against journalists. They are seen as people whose instinct to spread news exceeds their oath of secrecy, allegiance, etc.

Former journalists working outside media establishments are, therefore, usually suspected – rightly or wrongly – to be the source of information leaks. As a result, they are sometimes bypassed or excluded from important conversations.

Some journalists try to counter this distrust by completely shedding off the journalism skin to fit in their new stations, which undermines the reputation of the trade.

Still, there are not many true journalists that will cover up bad things around them. One way or the other, journalism instinct will overwhelm collegiality and they speak out or get someone else to do so.

Anyhow, suffice to say that what we have said about journalists can be said about nearly all other professions. A teacher will always be a teacher, seizing every opportunity to teach something. A doctor, nurse, medic, etc will always remain one, which is why in an airplane flying above 30,000 feet, a medic shall emerge to perform emergency surgery, etc.

Parents of unity colleges to Education minister: present proof of admission racketeering

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Federal Unity Schools has challenged Education Minister Tunji Alausa to produce evidence backing his allegations that PTA officials were engaged in admission racketeering.

The association said the ‘sweeping allegation” should not be made without identifying the particular school, the officials, dates of alleged transactions, bank accounts, admission documents and beneficiaries connected with the N20 million mentioned by Alausa.

It also faulted the minister’s claim that parents paid between N100 million and N150 million in legal fees over the controversial concession of King’s College in Lagos.

The parents’ body said it was saddening that the Education Ministry had failed to acknowledge its financial and operational support to the unity schools across the country.

Alausa had while shedding light on the concession of the 117-year-old college to its old boys association(KCOBA), claimed that the PTA sought the N20 million from admission seekers. He did not state when, the period, the names and number of unity colleges where the racket took place.

But the minister insisted that the King’s College concession arrangement was designed to enable KCOBA to finance, rehabilitate, operate and maintain the school while the Federal Government retains regulatory, oversight power and 100 percent ownership of the college.

Alausa also dismissed allegations by the PTA that the government was mulling the sale of unity schools across the country.

Referring to the allegation of admission racketeering, the PTA asked: ‘When did PTA chairmen become admission officers of the Federal Ministry of Education?’

The PTA said in a statement jointly signed by its representatives, including King’s College PTA Chairman, Peter Oluwaseye, if any of its officials engaged in admission racketeering , such a person should be identified, investigated and prosecuted rather than casting aspersion on the wider PTA structure.

The association insisted that its opposition to the concession policy was not against development but what it described as inadequate transparency and stakeholder consultation.

On the N100 million to N150 million in legal fees alleged to have been paid in relation to the King’s College concession, the PTA asked Alausa to disclose the court, suit number, parties to the case and evidence of the payment.

‘If such payment was made, let the evidence be produced. If no such payment was made, then the allegation should be withdrawn,’ it said.

The PTA also rejected any suggestion that its members and workers protesting the concession were ‘rented protesters,’ insisting that parents have legitimate concerns about the future of their children and public education.

ýThe association argued that disagreement with government policy should not automatically be interpreted as sabotage.

ýThe controversy has already affected the wider Federal Unity School system, with workers’ unions protesting the concession and the government subsequently agreeing to a two-week suspension of its implementation and setting up a seven-member committee to review the arrangement.

ýThe PTA chairmen said their central demand is for transparency over the concession agreement, insisting that King’s College remained a national public institution regardless of its management arrangement.

They called on the government to publish the complete concession agreement, including its duration, financial commitments, performance indicators, termination provisions and safeguards for students, teachers and parents.

ýThe chairmen also questioned what the reported 35-year arrangement would transfer to the concessionaire and what responsibilities would remain directly with the Federal Government.

ýThe PTA said it was not opposed to KCOBA contributing financially to the development of the college.

ýRather, it argued that alumni contributions should not be interpreted as ownership of a public institution.

ýThe government had maintained that admission into King’s College would continue under Unity College policies, including national representation and the prescribed entry process.

An alumnus of King’s College and former Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) President Olumide Akpata, yesterday backed the concession of the institution.

Akpata said on a television programme that KCOBA indicated interest in running the college, which described as the old boys’ ‘mother’ to save it.

ý He said: ”We have not bought the school. The school has not been offered to us, and we are not interested in buying our school.

”KCOBA could not watch it deteriorate after decades of contributing to its development.

‘The expression Alma Mater is a Latin expression which literally translates to ‘nourishing mother.’ You must understand that that school is our mother, and no son will sit idly by and watch his mother deteriorate in such a dastardly manner.’

Akpata recalled that the old boys had spent billions of naira over the years renovating buildings, upgrading sports facilities, installing generators, establishing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory and providing a library equipped for visually impaired students.

‘We have renovated every building standing in that school at one point in time or another. We have redone the sports pitch, put tartan tracks, put drainage under the football pitch. What have we not done?’ the former NBA president said.

Akpata explained that the old boys initially played a complementary role in the school’s development but decided to seek a formalised partnership because of the competing demands on government.

‘ We went to government, we said, ‘We know you have a lot on your plate. We are ready to help. We have been helping, and we have demonstrated capacity. Going forward, can we formalise this engagement?’

‘We are going to raise money to make sure that we upgrade infrastructure. We are going to raise money to make sure that the learning experience of our boys will be top-notch, world-class.’

On concerns over consultation with stakeholders, Akpata said the Federal Ministry had engaged unions during the process, adding that KCOB remained willing to meet teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

‘I don’t think the door has been shut on conversations and engagement. As we have said from time to time, we are ready to continue the conversation,’ he said.

Addressing allegations of admission racketeering and excessive levies at the school, Akpata said he had not personally witnessed such practices but acknowledged that he had heard the allegations.

‘I cannot put hand to heart and tell you that I have witnessed anything of the sort, but we have heard these stories so many times,’ he said.

FG vows justice over death of 37 Niger miners as govt declares 24-hour curfew

The federal government has assured the people of Niger State that swift justice will be served over the tragic deaths of 37 artisanal miners in Wushishi, promising a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

?Speaking in Minna while paying a condolebce visit to the Niger state Governor on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo declared that the federal administration will not allow the tragedy to slide, vowing to unearth the root cause and prevent any future recurrence.

The Minister, conveying the condolences of the President, emphasized that the Ministry will collaborate closely with the state government to ensure that anyone responsible for operational negligence is held accountable.

?The tragedy unfolded after 67 miners, comprising mostly youths between the ages of 14 and 18, were arrested and detained in a Civil Defence holding cell for over 24 hours. 37 of the miners died in the holding cell.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago while responding to the Minister declared that the incident has made vandals to take over the streets in the wake of the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in Civil Defence custody, leaving buses destroyed, a bank attacked and businesses and party offices ransacked. To this end, the Governor declared a 24-hour curfew across the state capital which would start after the Friday prayers.

Addressing federal officials including the Minister of Interior, Bago warned that vandals were taking over the streets and that immediate action was required to restore order.

The governor disclosed that preliminary forensic findings showed foam mixed with bloodstains in some mouths and peeling skin, leaving open the possibility of methane, cyanide or lead poisoning calling for a full investigation into the root cause.

He thanked the Commandant-General of the Civil Defence for the swift suspension of the former state Commandant who ordered the prolonged detention of so many people, describing the decision as callous and reckless stating that the oficers on duty who also ignored the detainees’ screams that they were dying were also callous.

Bago stated that though security forces including the army, police and Department of State Services had already intervened to stop the violence from escalating further appealing to residents to exercise restraint, remain patient and keep their children at home while authorities work to establish the facts.

He condemned the destruction of public assets, private property, marketplaces, businesses and schools as an affront to governance and warned that such acts would not be tolerated.

The Governor also ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities, both legal and illegal, across the state until soil tests determine whether hazardous substances are present.

UPDATED: Singapore President invites Tinubu for State visit

The President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has invited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit Singapore as the country seeks to strengthen its relationship and deepen cooperation with Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement by the Nigerian Mission House at the United Nations, New York.

Ibrahim said Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, visited the Nigerian Permanent Mission House, where he delivered a letter from President Shanmugaratnam inviting Tinubu to Singapore.

Gafoor also congratulated Ibrahim on his emergence as Chairman of two prominent UN committees – the Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, also known as the Committee of 34 or C-34.

Receiving the letter, Ibrahim thanked Gafoor for the invitation and assured the people and government of Singapore that Tinubu would find time to visit the country in the nearest future.

He said the President’s economic reforms had attracted international attention and generated interest from countries such as Singapore in sharing experiences with Nigeria, particularly on multilateralism and national development.

Ibrahim compared the boldness of Tinubu’s reforms with the transformation associated with Singapore’s first Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making bold economic reforms like the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. His achievements are enviable and continue to generate concern to countries like Singapore to share experience in multilateralism,’ Ibrahim said.

He said Tinubu holds President Tharman in high esteem and congratulated Singapore on the reforms that transformed the country.

According to Ibrahim, Nigeria is also undergoing reforms aimed at transforming the country into a modern contemporary state where the interests of everyone would be protected and Nigerians would begin to enjoy a viable economic proposition.

‘Nigeria is currently going through reform in order to transform herself to a modern contemporary state, where interests of everyone is protected and Nigerians begin to enjoy a viable proposition,’ he said.

Ibrahim also disclosed that his office at the United Nations had witnessed increased diplomatic engagements in recent weeks.

He said the British Ambassador to the UN visited him last week, followed by the Ambassador of Guyana a few days later, before Gafoor’s visit.

The envoy said his leadership of the UN committees would be guided by fairness, accountability and efficiency.

On the Fifth Committee, Ibrahim assured member states of equitable treatment in the allocation of resources.

‘I will be fair to all in allocation of resources under the Fifth Committee, and every country will have a say. The United Nations will be impartial to member states under the reform of accountability and efficiency,’ he said.

The Fifth Committee is responsible for the administrative and budgetary matters of the United Nations, while the C-34 deals with issues relating to UN peacekeeping operations.

Apac GISs, chiefs accused f diverting cattle restcking funds

The Gmblla Internal Security fficers (GISs), parish and sub-cunty chiefs and sme plitical leaders in Apac District are in truble ver alleged mismanagement f cattle restcking funds.

In FY 2025/2026, gvernment allcated Shs80 billin fr the cattle restcking prgramme in Lang, Achli and Tes sub-regins.

Beneficiaries are suppsed t be selected by the Parish Develpment Cmmittee and the beneficiaries themselves. The GISs, sub-cunty and parish chiefs were respnsible fr verificatin and making the final list.

Hwever, they have been accused f deleting genuine underprivileged beneficiaries and replacing them with relatives, friends and peple wh were able t give kickbacks.

“The sub-cunty chiefs, GISs, parish chiefs and sme LC3 chairpersns tk advantage f the vulnerable peple and they prcessed their funds which ended up in their pckets,” a surce said.

A resident f Abedi Parish in Apac Sub-cunty, wh preferred annymity fr security reasns, said his father was a victim.

“I was in Lira City fr sme wrk when the frmer LC3 chairpersn apprached my father and tk his natinal identity card and used it t prcess the mney then he later gave him nly Shs200,000,” he said.

Anther surce, a 67-year-ld widw frm Tebke Sub-cunty in Maruzi Nrth, said she was selected but her name later disappeared.

“I was infrmed by my LC1 chairpersn that my name was in the list f the peple suppsed t get the restcking mney but later my name disappeared and I was tld that the parish chiefs replaced me with anther persn,” she said.

Apac RDC Andrew nyuk said during a meeting with the Minister f State fr Ecnmic Mnitring, Ms Beatrice Akell Akri Santa Alum, n Mnday September 14, 2026, that many cases were reprted t his ffice and sme culprits were arrested while thers are refunding the mney.

“The GIS f Tebke and Chegere Sub-cunties were invlved in the scandal and we summned them and they refunded the mney then we handed t the rightful beneficiaries,” he said.

Apac District Internal Security fficer (DIS), Gerge tingcwinyu, cnfirmed that a number f GISs have been reprted t his ffice ver depriving rightful beneficiaries.

“I gt infrmatin that abut fur GISs deprived the rightful beneficiaries and I did investigatins and fund that tw GISs were seriusly invlved and I summned them and their victims and they accepted then they agreed t refund the mney. The disciplinary measures is nging,” he said.

Plice at Apac Central Plice Statin has received seven cases f diversin f cattle restcking funds and ne suspect has already been arrested and taken t curt.

Aruna Bafan, the fficer in charge f Apac Central Plice Statin, while making his presentatin during the meeting at Apac District Cuncil Hall, said investigatins are nging.

“Sme f these cases are under investigatins and the suspects are yet t be arrested whereas sme cases have been cncluded and the suspects went t curt,” he said.

Gdfrey bny, frmer LC3 chairpersn f Apac Sub-cunty, was arrested last mnth and is currently remanded at Atpi Prisn.

He is accused f stealing mney meant fr fur beneficiaries amunting t Shs20 millin.

Hwever, Apac Deputy RDC, Richard Tabar, revealed that he has refunded Shs5 millin but was arrested after he failed t refund the remaining Shs15 millin balance.

The Minister f State fr Ecnmic Mnitring tasked district security t investigate and ensure perpetratrs are brught t bk.

“All these civil servants, the plitical leaders wh have benefited frm this mney they must pay back, they must be arrested and they pay this mney. The fficers f the State Huse Anti-crruptin Unit, the ffice f the RDC and the plice they must make sure that all these peple are arrested and they pay back this mney,” the minister said.

Kayunga juice prcessing plant idle fr five years

A pineapple juice prcessing plant built t bst lcal farmers’ incmes has remained idle fr five years.

The factry, wrth Shs2.5b, was launched with high hpes t help pineapple grwers frm Kayunga and neighburing districts add value t their prduce.

The prject was cnstructed under the gvernment’s Natinal Agricultural Advisry Services (Naads) prgramme in fulfilment f a presidential pledge t pastrs Ysiya Mubiru and Aarn Mutebi f Entebbe Miracle Centre.

Pastr Mubiru prvided the land, while Sem Agrtech, an agrprcessing firm, cnstructed the prject structure. Naads prvided the machinery. The fur parties entered int a jint venture.

Despite this rbust wnership, disagreements between Pr Mubiru, Sem Agrtech, Naads and Kayunga District Pineaple Farmers’ Cperative ver wnership rights, have stalled the factry’s peratins.

Frustrated by the prlnged impasse, the factry’s wners are nw asking the gvernment takever t revive the prject.

They are hpeful that the gvernment will unlck the factry’s ptential t supprt farmers wh have waited patiently.

The prject was designed with a prjected prcessing capacity f 12 tnnes f juice daily.

Pr Mutebi said there have been effrts by the gvernment t slve the factry’s wnership dispute, in vain.

‘I n lnger want t engage in fighting ver smething (factry) that was given t me in brad daylight. And because f this, I lst interest in that prject. I can still survive withut it,’ he said.

Pr Mutebi, hwever, revealed that he had recently met Gen Salim Saleh, the crdinatr f peratin Wealth Creatin, and prpsed t him that because f unending disagreements, the gvernment shuld take ver its wnership and management.

‘Gen Saleh prmised that the gvernment will take it ver and then see hw I can be cmpensated, but even when I am nt cmpensated, I dn’t mind,’ the pastr said.

Mr Charles Iga, the Kayunga District Prductin fficer, said a number f fficials frm the Ministry f Agriculture had inspected the factry t ascertain its current status with a prmise t pen it sn, but nted that their numerus prmises have never materialised.

‘We, as district leaders, are appealing t the gvernment t cmpensate the warring parties and then handver the factry t farmers s that they can manage it. The main bjective f the factry was t add value t pineapples and als prvide a ready market fr the perishable fruits,’ he said.

Mr Iga acknwledged that the factry’s failure t cmmence peratins was affecting farmers, adding that because f the lsses pineapple farmers are incurring when their fruits perish, many have abandned the fruit and started grwing sugarcane.

Mr Andrew Muwnge, the Kayunga District Chairpersn, said he was fed up with the disputes surrunding wnership f the factry and had stpped fllwing what was ging n there.

Mr Geffrey Kakza, the crdinatr f Kayunga District Farmers’ Assciatin, said they had mbilised 2,000 pineapple farmers in the district t supply fresh fruit t the factry, but the prject failure t start demralised the farmers.

‘As farmers, we are neutral in this dispute, ur nly desire is t supply the factry with pineapples,’ he said, adding that during bumper harvest, farmers lse between 25 and 30 percent f their ripe fruits.

In 2023, Members f Parliament n the agriculture cmmittee n an inspectin visit t the factry als queried its wnership when they discvered that the land n which it was built des nt belng t the gvernment.

This is the secnd mega factry the gvernment has set up in Kayunga District and it has failed t serve its intended purpse.

The first Shs1 billin sap and cking il factry under Kayunga Industrial Develpment Park, lcated in Buklt,a suburb f Kayunga Twn, was frced t clse a few mnths after cmmissining due t lack f raw materials.

The prject had been anticipated t create at least 100 jbs directly and mre than 700 jbs indirectly t the yuth and als increase husehld incmes.

NNL congratulates Zulum on El-Kanemi’s CAF Confederation Cup feat

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has congratulated the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum for his contributions towards El-Kanemi Warriors’ qualification to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

In a letter, signed by the NNL management through Hon Commissioner For Youth, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Borno State, the NNL stated: ‘On behalf of the management, and the 34 clubs of the NNL, I write to heartily congratulate His Excellency, the management, players, coaching crew, and supporters of El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club on the historic qualification to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

‘The resilience, tactical discipline and fighting spirit in the first preliminary round of CAF Confederation Cup has not only done Borno State proud, but has also brought honour to Nigeria Football and to the Nigeria National family.’

The NNL added that El-Kanemi Warriors have shown that with determination and hard work, Nigeria clubs can compete and triumph on the continental stage, stressing that ‘El-Kanemi Warriors has always been a symbol of hope and excellence.’

The NNL leadership said the performance of El-Kanemi in continental campaign ‘is a testament to the vision of your leadership, attestation of your government’s commitment for youth empowerment and Football Development in particular, and the commitment.’

Vidullanka enters grid-scale energy storage with first of 13 BESS facilities

Vidullanka PLC, in partnership with WindForce PLC, will inaugurate its first of 13 standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities today in Anuradhapura, in a ceremony marking a landmark achievement for the company and Sri Lanka’s renewable energy industry. The occasion will be graced by the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka.

The 10MW/40MWh facility was developed under the project company StoreX Ltd., which will develop 11 more BESS projects across the island as part of Sri Lanka’s first- grid-scale standalone BESS initiative. Vidullanka and WindForce have also partnered to develop a 13th project in Vavunathivu, under the project company Solar Universe Ltd. Together, these 13 projects will have a combined capacity of 130MW/520MWh, extending Vidullanka’s footprint into grid-scale energy storage and positioning the company as a key player in shaping the next phase of Sri Lanka’s energy transition.

The inaugurated facility marks Vidullanka’s expansion beyond electricity generation, adding energy storage as a new dimension to its diversified portfolio. The company is also set to commission its eighth ground-mounted solar facility in Hambantota, bringing its total capacity to 96 MW and its portfolio to 27 projects.

Vidullanka PLC is a leading renewable energy company with a diversified portfolio built over the course of nearly three decades since its incorporation in 1997. The company operates its own hydro, solar and dendro assets in Sri Lanka and Uganda, and offers services in several key areas including operations and maintenance (O and M), engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and more. Alongside its entry into grid-scale energy storage, the company has also ventured into e-mobility with its EV charging brand, VEDRIVE. Driven by its vision to sustainably energise the planet, the company is committed to advancing clean energy solutions that drive effective sustainable development.

For the 2025/26 financial year, Vidullanka reported a revenue of Rs.3.8 billion and a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 1.55 billion. For the first quarter of 2026/27, the company recorded a revenue of Rs. 1.1 billion and a PAT of Rs. 555 million. Furthermore, the Group’s Annual General Meeting is expected to take place on Thursday, the 24 September 2026.