In accordance with the water tariff formula approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 2024-07-15, the unit cost of water sales is required to be reviewed on a half-yearly basis, taking into consideration changes in major cost factors.

Based on the analysis carried out on the financial statements of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for the year 2025, it has been confirmed that the prevailing water tariffs are
sufficient to cover the full operating costs.

Therefore, the Board of Directors of the National Water Supply
and Drainage Board has decided to maintain the unit cost of water sales for the first six (06) months of 2026 without any increase.

Accordingly, the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers has been given for the resolution furnished by the Minister of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply to maintain the prevailing water tariff without any revision during the first 6 months of the year 2026.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution
furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to appoint an expert committee with technical special expertise for the formulation of the National Space Policy.

At present, a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of intellectual property is provided under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003.

However, it has been observed that there are certain structural and operational challenges within the intellectual property system in the country. Furthermore, although several ministries and public institutions, in addition to the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka, perform complementary roles within the intellectual property system, it has been observed
that there is a lack of effective coordination among these institutions.

Therefore, the need for a national intellectual property policy has been identified in order to provide a clear strategic direction and to ensure the effective development and utilization of intellectual property in Sri Lanka. Such a policy is expected to facilitate the achievement of domestic priorities, including due consideration of international best practices, safeguarding national interests, preserving appropriate policy space, and promoting innovation, knowledge dissemination, and public welfare.

Taking into consideration of the aforementioned matters, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development to formulate a Comprehensive National Intellectual Property Policy for Sri Lanka.