<ul><li>19 parties submit EOIs covering operational aspects</li><li>Deciding factor to be which is most nationally beneficial&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government will decide whether the operation of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) will be awarded to a single investor or divided among several parties that submitted expressions of interest (EOIs), based on which proposal offers the greatest benefit to the country, Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (20), he explained the Government's next step would be to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to the 19 parties that had submitted EOIs. "The RFP will be issued to those 19 parties that submitted EOIs. After evaluating their proposals, we will decide who the project should be awarded to."Kodithuwakku said the initial EOIs covered different aspects of the Airport's operations, with some parties expressing interest in Airport operations, others proposing investments in solar power projects, and some seeking responsibility for the Airport's overall operations. "It could ultimately be awarded to one party or shared among several parties that submitted EOIs. The decision will depend on which option brings the greatest benefit to the country," he added.Earlier this year, the Government invited EOIs from interested parties as part of plans to identify a joint venture partner to operate the MRIA and steer the Airport towards profitability.Speaking previously to The Daily Morning, Kodithuwakku said earlier that the Airport had failed to generate the expected returns since its establishment and continued to incur annual losses of around Rs three billion, roughly equivalent to its operating costs. He said that after restoring the Airport to a condition suitable for safe operations, the Government's focus has shifted towards making the Facility commercially viable. Although the MRIA has the capacity to handle around one million passengers annually, its highest passenger throughput was recorded only last year (in 2025), when approximately 150,000 passengers travelled through the Airport.The MRIA, located in Hambantota, has long been the subject of debate due to its low utilisation and high maintenance costs despite being built to ease congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and promote regional development.

Mattala Airport: Govt mulls single investor option 

<ul><li>Docs groups including GMOA seek clarity&nbsp;</li></ul> A circular issued by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) has raised concerns over the role of ‘acting consultant specialists’ in State-run hospitals, with doctors warning that the directive could disrupt specialist services at a time when the country is facing a shortage of consultant specialists.President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors, Dr Chamal Sanjeewa told The Daily Morning yesterday (20) that according an extract of the minute number 2026.6.6 (II)(b), issued on 26 June by the Senior Assistant Registrar of the PGIM, ‘acting consultant specialists’ who have completed specialist training at the PGIM and overseas training but have yet to obtain Board Certification from the PGIM are barred from independently examining patients, making clinical decisions and issuing medical recommendations within their respective specialties.&nbsp;Dr Sanjeewa said that the circular had created a serious issue within the health service, as many State-run hospitals across the country currently rely on acting consultant specialists to provide specialist care. He noted that due to the shortage of consultant specialists, the Secretary to the Health Ministry has been appointing doctors who have completed their initial local postgraduate specialist training at the PGIM as acting consultant specialists to Base Hospitals and specialist units across the island.&nbsp;He said that the new PGIM instructions have now cast doubts on the deployment of these acting consultant specialists and their ability to independently manage patients and provide medical recommendations in the units to which they have been assigned. He urged the Secretary to urgently issue clear guidelines to consultant specialists and acting consultant specialists to clarify their responsibilities and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of specialist healthcare services.&nbsp;Dr Sanjeewa said the Secretary should urgently clarify the matter to the public in order to safeguard patient safety and maintain public confidence in the health service. Dr Sanjeewa further said that many specialist units in hospitals throughout the country are currently being managed by acting consultant specialists who have not yet completed overseas training and are providing an essential service in the face of the existing shortage of consultant specialists.&nbsp;Issuing such instructions under these circumstances, he said, is questionable. He also noted that many acting consultant specialists engage in private medical practice within the areas where they serve. He argued that if the circular prevents them from independently examining and treating patients in the public sector, it also raises questions over the legality of the services that they provide in private sector healthcare.Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) too raised concerns regarding the PGIM Minute No. 2026.6.6 (II)(b), stating that doctors awaiting Board Certification are considered suitable only to practise under supervision until they obtained Board Certification. In a letter to the Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, the Doctors' Union said that the minute contradicted the Ministry's decision to entrust these medical practitioners with independent specialist responsibilities while the PGIM considered them unsuitable to practise independently. They&nbsp;also urged Dr Jayatissa to appoint a high level committee with representatives from his Ministry, the PGIM, the Public Service Commission and the Medical Council&nbsp;to review the PGIM Minute No. 2026.6.6 (II)(b).&nbsp;GMOA Secretary Dr Ubaya Bandara Warakagoda, when contacted by The Daily Morning, said his outfit is "totally against” the service minute issued by the PGIM, noting that it "did not have provisions to take such a decision with regard to 'acting consultants.' That decision can only be taken by the Ministry," he stressed. “It is not a decision to be taken even by the University Grants Commission or the Medical Council," Dr Warakagoda pointed out.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Efforts to contact the Deputy Health Minister and the Secretary for comment on the issue were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

Acting consultant specialists: PGIM circular under fire 

Irrigation Ministry-NWSDB to coordinate on drinking water&nbsp; Water levels in reservoirs dwindling rapidly The Irrigation Ministry will give priority to supplying water for cultivated agricultural lands, if drought conditions linked to the anticipated El Niño phenomenon worsen, while continuously coordinating with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to ensure the uninterrupted supply of drinking water, Deputy Irrigation Minister Aravinda Senarath assured.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (20), he said the Government is now gaining a clearer understanding of the likely impacts of El Niño, including the extent of the challenges that it could pose. "We were aware of the possibility of an El Niño phenomenon, we didn’t have a quantitative understanding of the conditions that it could create. We are only now beginning to understand its possible impact," he said.He noted that water levels in reservoirs are already declining rapidly, although the situation varies across the country depending on the stage of cultivation in each area. "This is not a common situation across the country. In some areas, cultivation has already been completed, while in others, crops are at a more advanced stage, and in some places, cultivation has only just begun," he said.Senarath said that the Government has already prepared a plan to prioritise the supply of water to cultivated lands and is simultaneously working with the NWSDB to safeguard drinking water supplies. "As the Ministry, our priority is to provide water for the lands that have already been cultivated. At the same time, we are in constant discussion with the NWSDB to ensure the supply of drinking water. The necessary measures will be taken according to the requirements of each District," he said.Earlier, the Water Supply Ministry stated that it had instructed the NWSDB to begin preparations for the possible impacts of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon, with particular attention being paid to expanding the water treatment capacity.The Disaster Management Centre recently warned that the anticipated El Niño phenomenon could be one of the most severe that the country has faced, with the potential to dry up major water sources and create significant challenges in meeting the country's drinking water needs. Officials cautioned that the limited number of water bowsers available for emergency distribution may not be sufficient if drought conditions worsen and said that the desalination of seawater may have to be considered as a last resort to ensure access to drinking water.

El Nino drought: Water for agri to be prioritised

The National Council for Road Safety has announced plans to conduct vehicle inspections for all vehicles, including buses operating in the public transport sector. Its Chairperson Manjula Kularatne said that the inspection programme is expected to commence in September. He noted that the leading causes of road accidents involving public transport vehicles are driver negligence and various mechanical defects in vehicles.&nbsp;In response, the authorities have decided to carry out comprehensive inspections of all vehicles engaged in public transportation, including buses. Kularatne further stated that applications have already been called for the recruitment of qualified technical officers to carry out the inspections.&nbsp;He added that once the recruitment process is completed, the inspection programme is expected to begin by the end of September, with all public transport vehicles across the country set to undergo mandatory condition assessments.Over:&nbsp;Public transport&nbsp;Head:&nbsp;Mandatory vehicle condition assessments from Sept&nbsp;The National Council for Road Safety has announced plans to conduct vehicle inspections for all vehicles, including buses operating in the public transport sector. Its Chairperson Manjula Kularatne said that the inspection programme is expected to commence in September. He noted that the leading causes of road accidents involving public transport vehicles are driver negligence and various mechanical defects in vehicles.&nbsp;In response, the authorities have decided to carry out comprehensive inspections of all vehicles engaged in public transportation, including buses. Kularatne further stated that applications have already been called for the recruitment of qualified technical officers to carry out the inspections.&nbsp;He added that once the recruitment process is completed, the inspection programme is expected to begin by the end of September, with all public transport vehicles across the country set to undergo mandatory condition assessments.

Public transport: Mandatory vehicle condition assessments from Sept 

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to dismiss, without taking up for consideration, a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition seeking an order to invalidate a circular permitting individuals in Sri Lanka to legally change their gender.&nbsp;The petition named former Presidents Maithripala Yapa Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, as well as incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, among its respondents. The petition was filed by a retired disabled Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Shantha Jayathilake.

SC dismisses FR against gender change 

A total of 22 schoolchildren were hospitalised yesterday (20) after allegedly consuming castor seeds that had been mistakenly shared by a fellow student at a school in the Kandalaksha area in Kantale.&nbsp;According to reports, a Grade 6 student had brought what he believed to be sunflower seeds from home and shared them with his classmates.&nbsp;Shortly after consuming the seeds, 22 students, comprising 20 boys and two girls, developed symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction or food poisoning and were admitted to hospital for treatment.&nbsp;Five of the affected students were subsequently transferred to the Trincomalee District General Hospital for further medical care. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the student regularly brings imported sunflower seeds to school to share with classmates.&nbsp;However, he had inadvertently brought castor seeds along with the sunflower seeds, mistaking them for the edible variety.

22 students fall ill after eating castor seeds

A technical report prepared by the Election Commission (EC) on enhancing the representation of women and youth at Provincial Council (PC) Elections was presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the electoral system under which the PC Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard. The Committee met recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Minister Vijitha Herath. The report presented by the EC outlined a proposed technical framework for increasing the representation of women and youth while retaining the existing proportional representation (PR) electoral system and preserving the current method of determining Elections results. During the discussion, the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus unanimously emphasised that women's representation at PC and Local Government Elections should be increased to at least 33 per cent. The Caucus further stressed that this position should be duly taken into consideration when formulating the proposed electoral system.

PC electoral system: EC urges increased women-youth under PR

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on the Government to halt further action on a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement ages of Supreme Court (SC) and Court of Appeal (CA) Judges until consultations are held with key stakeholders in the justice sector.&nbsp;In a letter addressed to the Justice Minister, Harshana Nanayakkara, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said that the proposed amendment raised serious concerns over judicial independence, the administration of justice and the rule of law.The BASL said that it had previously sought a clarification from the Government on whether such an amendment is being considered, but had not received a response. It said that it had later conveyed its concerns to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, outlining the Bar’s position against the proposal.The Association said that the retirement ages of Judges of the SC and the CA had remained unchanged since the enactment of the 1978 Constitution and argued that no compelling institutional reason had been presented to justify an amendment.&nbsp;It further stated that the recent expansion of the approved cadre of both Superior Courts had addressed concerns relating to the judicial workload and capacity.BASL cautioned that a constitutional amendment specifically extending the tenure of sitting Superior Court Judges could raise questions regarding its objective and impact public confidence in the independence of the Judiciary.“Constitutional amendments affecting the Superior Judiciary should never be undertaken in an ad hoc manner or in response to temporary circumstances,” the Association said, stressing the need for institutional necessity, transparency and consultation before any such changes are introduced.The proposal has drawn criticism from various sections of the legal community, including members of the Judiciary, retired judges, senior lawyers, academics and international legal organisations, according to the BASL. The Association also referred to remarks by senior advocate of India and former LAWASIA President Shyam Divan, who said that concerns surrounding the proposal reflected fears that judicial independence and the rule of law could be compromised.The BASL noted that following the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held on 14 July, the Cabinet Spokesperson had announced that the Justice Ministry had been requested to submit a report and observations before the Cabinet made a final decision on the matter. The Association urged the Ministry to establish a committee comprising representatives of the Ministry, the Judiciary, the BASL and other relevant stakeholders to examine the proposal and submit recommendations. It also requested an opportunity for a BASL delegation, including members of its Executive Committee, senior President’s Counsel and senior members of the legal profession, to meet with the Ministry and discuss the matter. The BASL said that it remained prepared to assist in any consultation process and requested that no further steps be taken until meaningful discussions with justice sector stakeholders are completed.

Judges retirement age: BASL seeks appointment of stakeholder committee 

Egg prices are seen here on display at the Dedicated Economic Centre in Narahenpita yesterday (20), after the prices were increased by the All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association, citing issues related to poultry feed supplies &nbsp;

Mattala Airport: Govt mulls single investor option

Acting consultant specialists: PGIM circular under fire

Acting consultant specialists: ...

El Nino drought: Water for agri to be prioritised

El Nino drought: Water for agr ...

Public transport: Mandatory vehicle condition assessments from Sept

Public transport: Mandatory ve ...

SC dismisses FR against gender change

SC dismisses FR against gender ...

22 students fall ill after eating castor seeds

22 students fall ill after eat ...

PC electoral system: EC urges increased women-youth under PR

PC electoral system: EC urges ...

Judges retirement age: BASL seeks appointment of stakeholder committee ...

Judges retirement age: BASL se ...

Not so sunny side up

Not so sunny side up

Acting consultant specialists: PGIM circular under fire

Acting consultant specialists: ...

El Nino drought: Water for agri to be prioritised

El Nino drought: Water for agr ...

Public transport: Mandatory vehicle condition assessments from Sept

Public transport: Mandatory ve ...

SC dismisses FR against gender change

SC dismisses FR against gender ...

22 students fall ill after eating castor seeds

22 students fall ill after eat ...

PC electoral system: EC urges increased women-youth under PR

PC electoral system: EC urges ...

Judges retirement age: BASL seeks appointment of stakeholder committee ...

Judges retirement age: BASL se ...

Not so sunny side up

Not so sunny side up

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Acting consultant specialists: PGIM circular under fire

Acting consultant specialists: ...

El Nino drought: Water for agri to be prioritised

El Nino drought: Water for agr ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Public transport: Mandatory vehicle condition assessments from Sept

Public transport: Mandatory ve ...

SC dismisses FR against gender change

SC dismisses FR against gender ...

22 students fall ill after eating castor seeds

22 students fall ill after eat ...

PC electoral system: EC urges increased women-youth under PR

PC electoral system: EC urges ...