<ul><li>Tariff hikes cannot be attributed to management weaknesses alone</li><li>Electricity, wages, exchange rates and project costs also pushed up charges</li><li>Water production costs vary significantly between districts&nbsp;</li></ul>The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has acknowledged that management inefficiencies contributed to higher water tariffs, while stressing that the increases cannot be attributed to weaknesses within the Board alone.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), NWSDB Chairman Chandara Bandara said the Board accepted that management inefficiencies had contributed to recent tariff increases, but stressed that several other factors had also driven up charges.“It is only after considering all the factors regarding water production across the country that we decide the water tariff. These include the electricity cost, the wages of the workers, the investments made on development projects, and the operation and maintenance costs. Each of these expenses I mentioned has been affected by the period after 2019, the Easter Sunday terror attack, and the 2021 economic crisis. The increase in the dollar rate has also impacted the tariff,” he said.Bandara acknowledged that inefficiencies within the Board, including worker inefficiencies, project delays, the failure to complete projects within estimated timeframes and the losses arising from such delays, were also reflected in water tariffs.“Hence, there is truth in the report saying that the inefficiencies of the management of the Board added to the water tariffs, but the tariff contained all these factors together. So, we cannot justify that this is the only reason,” he added.The National Audit Office (NAO) report had also recommended that the NWSDB adopt a fairer basis for calculating water bills instead of disproportionately increasing charges for selected categories of consumers. It had further called for measures to reduce non-revenue water.However, Bandara said the cost of producing water differed significantly from one area to another.“Take Jaffna as an example. There, water is produced by pumping salt water and purifying it, resulting in a production cost of Rs. 150-160 per litre. At the Ambathale water treatment plant, the cost is around Rs. 20-24 per litre, while production at Labugama and Kalatuwawa costs around Rs. 12 per litre,” he said.He explained that water was also distributed using generators in some areas where electricity was not available, adding that production and distribution costs therefore varied between districts.According to Bandara, the purification method, energy cost, distribution cost and the condition of the water at the source all affected the production cost in different areas.He also explained the reasons behind delays in several projects and the management difficulties faced by the NWSDB.“Due to Covid-19 pandemic, some of the projects were delayed for a year without being able to work with the contractors. In 2022, the wages of the contractors were delayed for around two years, as foreign funds for these projects were halted. For instance, loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank were halted,” he said.He added that some projects were funded through domestic bank loans from several banks, but these loans were also completely halted during those years.“There were also some contractors who halted the projects as, after starting the projects after a period of time, they couldn't manage to finalise the project with the estimated cost,” he said.The Chairperson’s comments and clarifications follow a special audit report on the water tariff revision implemented by the NWSDB between September 2022 and August 2024.The report found that weaknesses in the Board’s management had contributed to increased costs and revenue losses, and said management should urgently address the issues, reduce operational inefficiencies and ensure greater benefits for consumers.

Higher Water Tariffs: Inefficiencies drove up water tariffs: NWSDB 

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs is preparing to hold discussions on tensions arising over the presence of more recent religious groups that have entered the country, with officials looking at both short-term and long-term measures to address disputes involving such groups.The issue has gained attention following a protest by villagers and Buddhist monks in the Hiriketiya area against a recently established Chabad House, a Jewish community and outreach centre.When contacted by The Daily Morning, Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary W P Senadheera said several religious groups that have entered Sri Lanka in the recent past operate in different parts of the country and that Sri Lankan nationals are also members of these groups. He said they faced difficulties in taking immediate action when members of the public protested against such groups, as those affected could raise human rights concerns or accuse the Ministry and other relevant institutions of restricting freedom of speech if interventions were made.Senadheera said although there have been protests against some of these groups, immediate action could not be taken and that a committee was examining the situation. "Our Ministry is mainly working on the affairs of the main four religions. However, since these groups also have Sri Lankan members, we now have to look into issues concerning them as well. A committee is currently studying this matter and it will make recommendations."The protesters in Hiriketiya have alleged that the centre was established without the required approvals and that its activities could affect relations within the local community.

Hiriketiya Chabad House: A committee to study new religious groups

<ul><li>Rules out changes to existing paper handling and distribution system</li></ul> The Education Ministry has taken steps to ensure that the mixing up of the Physics paper during the ongoing GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination does not affect or compromise the rest of the examination, but has ruled out the need to overhaul the existing system used to handle and distribute examination papers.The Ministry has launched an investigation with police assistance, with a team of Education Ministry officials also assigned to support the inquiry.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), Deputy Minister of Education Dr Madhura Senevirathna said the incident occurred at an examination coordination centre, not at an examination centre, and that the Ministry was informed immediately after the issue was discovered. He said the examination paper had not been exposed."There is a standard procedure that takes place in these kinds of scenarios. First the Education Ministry should be contacted and then the officials go to that place and the necessary steps are taken. In this scenario, the Ministry was contacted and immediate actions were taken to prevent the exposure of the paper. By now an investigation has started on this. This is not going to be any issue, influence or harm on the rest of the examination," he said.When queried as to whether there was a need to make any changes to the existing system used to handle and distribute papers, he said: "We do not see a need to make such changes."The investigation follows the discovery of six packets containing the papers for the following day’s examination, GCE A/L Physics Paper I, at an examination coordination centre in Ambalantota. The packets had been placed inside a question paper container designated for subjects scheduled to be held on 13 August, including Music, Dancing and Agriculture. The issue was discovered when examination officials inspected the containers. Despite the mix-up, the Physics examination was conducted as scheduled on 14 August.&nbsp;

GCE A/L Exam: Physics paper mix-up won't affect rest: Edu Min

Steps are being taken to appoint an audit committee under the supervision of President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake to investigate alleged financial irregularities at Divisional Secretariats (DSs) in the Nuwara Eliya District.Nuwara Eliya District Development Committee Chairperson and Parliamentarian Manjula Suraweeraarachchi said the audit would cover 10 DSs in the district from 2023 to 2026.Special attention will be paid to alleged fraud involving Aswesuma welfare payments at the Norwood and Talawakelle DSs.The audit will also examine whether disaster relief payments were properly provided to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as well as the Rs 5,000 payments provided through the Samurdhi programme to low-income families during the Covid-19 pandemic.Payments of Government subsidies and allowances provided to Samurdhi beneficiaries and senior citizens will also be examined.Suraveerarachchi requested beneficiaries to provide him with any information they may have about possible irregularities before the audit begins.He said such information could assist the committee in identifying financial irregularities and ensuring that funds intended for beneficiaries had been properly distributed.

Financial Irregularities: 10 Nuwara Eliya DSs to be probed

<ul><li>Rough seas forecast along northern and southern coastal waters</li></ul>Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (17), according to the Meteorological Department.Showers or thunderstorms may occur at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.Fairly strong winds of around 30-40 kilometres per hour (kmph) can be expected at times over the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Southern provinces and in the Trincomalee District.The public has been advised to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary, localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. Showers may occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle. Winds will be westerly to south-westerly at speeds of 30-40 kmph. Wind speeds can increase to 50-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and Puttalam, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota. The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and Puttalam, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times. The naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in these sea areas have been urged to remain vigilant. Wave heights may increase to around 2.0-2.5 metres in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

 Rain and strong winds expected in several areas

<ul><li>SLHMOA calls for investigations to be completed and examination held without delay&nbsp;</li></ul> The homoeopathic registration examination has been indefinitely postponed amid complaints and ongoing investigations into alleged malpractice involving some candidates, with the Sri Lanka Homoeopathic Medical Officers’ Association (SLHMOA) calling for the inquiry to be completed and the examination held without further delay.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), SLHMOA Co-Secretary Dr Rukshan Wijesuriya said the examination, which candidates are required to pass to obtain permanent registration to practise homoeopathy, had been postponed following several complaints received by the Ministry of Health. He said investigations were also underway into alleged irregularities involving certain candidates. “About 35 candidates are said to have been rejected, but we have not yet received the list. We are being told that some candidates do not have Grama Niladhari certificates or the relevant documents,” he said.He said a complaint submitted by the association to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 10 July had also resulted in an inquiry concerning one of the candidates.According to Wijesuriya, the Homoeopathic Medical Council had selected the candidate and an inquiry was subsequently conducted to establish whether a medical centre where the candidate was allegedly practising was actually operating. “When the investigating officers went there, the shutters of the clinic were closed. Statements were then obtained from four people, who said that the candidate had not practised there,” he said. He also said the doctor who had issued a letter recommending the candidate had stated that he had taught the candidate for three months, but was unaware whether the candidate had actually practised at the centre. He said the doctor subsequently resigned on 27 July, while the candidate and another person believed to be his brother had also left. “The investigations are still continuing, and we have not yet been called to give statements. But the people concerned have already left,” he said.The latest developments come shortly after The Daily Morning reported on 9 August on concerns over 49 homoeopathic registrations allegedly being granted without examinations.Wijesuriya said the current dispute had its roots in earlier legislation governing the registration of homoeopathic practitioners. He said an amendment introduced in 2008 allowed 212 people to obtain temporary registration for five years, subject to their qualifications and successful completion of an examination covering 10 subjects. The previous legislation also contained provisions allowing people with lengthy experience in homoeopathic practice to apply for permanent registration if the Medical Council was satisfied with their experience, he said.According to Wijesuriya, 27 people were subsequently granted permanent registration after fulfilling the relevant requirements, while another 19 obtained registration following a court decision and after sitting the examination in accordance with the procedure set out in a 2018 Gazette.The remaining applicants were later given a special opportunity under Section 30 (1) of the Homoeopathy Act No 10 of 2016 Act, with applications called in 2017 and an examination held in 2018. Nearly 190 applications were received, he said. However, Wijesuriya said the issue remained unresolved despite further attempts to complete the examination process.A Medical Council appointed in 2022 conducted an examination in 2024, at which 27 candidates passed. A second examination was held shortly afterwards, with another 16 candidates passing. Around 133 candidates remained. However, following the appointment of a new Medical Council in June 2024, applications were called again in 2024 and 2025 instead of completing the examination process for the remaining candidates, he alleged. “There were supposed to be two examinations to complete the process. Instead of holding the final examination, they called for new applications,”&nbsp;&nbsp;He said the investigations arising from the complaints had not yet been completed and that the registration examination had consequently been postponed indefinitely.Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe was unavailable for comment.&nbsp;

Amid Malpractice Probe: Homoeopathic registration exam postponed 

The Department of Meteorology’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued a heat advisory for seven districts, warning that hot weather conditions are expected in parts of the country today (17).The advisory, issued at 4 p m yesterday (16), covers Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara and Monaragala.According to the Department, the Heat Index, which reflects how hot conditions are likely to feel to the human body, could reach a level requiring attention in some areas of these districts during the daytime.The Centre urged people in the affected areas to remain particularly cautious and follow appropriate health precautions, including drinking sufficient fluids, to minimise the effects of the hot weather.

Heat advisory issued for seven districts

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has called for the disturbance availability and transport allowance paid to medical professionals to be revised from the current Rs 70,000, noting that the allowance approved in 2018 was up to Rs 120,000.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), GMOA Secretary Dr Ubaya Bandara Warakagoda said the revision was among several proposals submitted by the GMOA ahead of the 2027 Budget to improve the retention of medical professionals in Sri Lanka.He stressed that the GMOA was not seeking a general salary hike, but a revision of benefits to which medical professionals were already entitled.“The allowance approved in 2018 was up to Rs 120,000, while it is currently Rs 70,000. There is a calculation based on several indices, similar to the Consumer Price Index. We believe it should be adjusted according to current inflation, exchange rates and fuel prices. This is something we deserve. It is not a salary hike,” he said.Warakagoda said the GMOA was also seeking a revision of extra-duty payments, claiming that the increase in basic salaries had resulted in extra-duty and related allowances being calculated with a cut-off of around one-third.“This is also something we deserve,” he said.The GMOA has also called for the original purpose of the concessionary vehicle permit for doctors to be restored. Warakagoda said doctors were among the first categories entitled to the concessionary vehicle permit under Public Administration Circular 2299.“These are not hikes or new benefits. We are asking for what we are entitled to,” he said.He said the GMOA had also submitted a proposal for the Sri Lanka Medical Service to be recognised as a separate service, noting that the Government had already accepted the concept in principle.Warakagoda said the proposals had two main objectives: retaining doctors who contribute to strengthening Sri Lanka’s health sector and ensuring that the medical workforce required to sustain the country’s free healthcare system remains in Sri Lanka.“We need to retain the doctors who are pioneers in taking the health sector forward and improving Sri Lanka’s position in the world. At the same time, we need to retain the workforce required to deliver free healthcare to everyone in this country, from the poorest person to a person living in Colombo 7,” he said.He added that the GMOA was awaiting discussions with the President, political authorities and relevant officials on the proposals submitted ahead of the 2027 Budget.

GMOA seeks revision of doctors’ allowances

<ul><li>&nbsp;96 MOH areas remain classified as high-risk zones</li></ul>The number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka so far this year has risen to 92,011, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.The number of deaths caused by dengue has also increased to 68.A total of 96 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the country have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.The Western Province continues to record the highest number of cases, accounting for 52.96 per cent of the national total, or 48,725 patients.The Southern Province has recorded the second-highest number of cases at 13,533, followed by the Central Province with 8,274 cases and the Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,558.At district level, Gampaha has recorded the highest number of dengue cases at 19,631.Colombo has recorded 18,245 cases, Kandy 6,613, Matara 6,036, Kalutara 5,951, Galle 5,039 and Ratnapura 4,935. The Colombo Municipal Council area alone has recorded around 3,700 cases.July recorded the highest monthly number of dengue cases so far this year, with 29,968 patients.A further 21,533 cases were recorded in June and 8,590 in May.During the first 15 days of August alone, 6,671 dengue cases have been reported.Health authorities have urged the public to destroy mosquito breeding sites and keep their surroundings clean.They have also advised people experiencing symptoms of fever to seek treatment from a qualified medical practitioner without delay.

Higher Water Tariffs: Inefficiencies drove up water tariffs: ...

Hiriketiya Chabad House: A committee to study new religious groups

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GCE A/L Exam: Physics paper mix-up won't affect rest: Edu Min

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Financial Irregularities: 10 N ...

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Amid Malpractice Probe: Homoeo ...

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Dengue cases rise to 92,011 a ...

Hiriketiya Chabad House: A committee to study new religious groups

Hiriketiya Chabad House: A com ...

GCE A/L Exam: Physics paper mix-up won't affect rest: Edu Min

GCE A/L Exam: Physics paper mi ...

Financial Irregularities: 10 Nuwara Eliya DSs to be probed

Financial Irregularities: 10 N ...

Rain and strong winds expected in several areas

Rain and strong winds expecte ...

Amid Malpractice Probe: Homoeopathic registration exam postponed

Amid Malpractice Probe: Homoeo ...

Heat advisory issued for seven districts

Heat advisory issued for seven ...

GMOA seeks revision of doctors’ allowances

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Financial Irregularities: 10 Nuwara Eliya DSs to be probed

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Heat advisory issued for seven districts

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