News

Justice Minister alleges NARA causes massive revenue losses, opposes remedial measures

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/1

Dr. Rajapakshe holds a map provided by the Navy showing foreign vessels in Sri Lankan waters at 9 am yesterday (pic by Rohan Pradeep Kumara

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, yesterday (31) alleged that the country had been deprived of foreign exchange to the tune of billions of USD over the past three decades due to the failure on the part of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to establish a system to sell hydrographic maps for ships entering Sri Lankan waters.

Addressing the media at his office near Technical Junction, Minister Rajapakshe said that NARA not only neglected its responsibility but allowed external parties to exploit the situation for their benefit. The Minister alleged that NARA had reached an agreement with the external parties and the payments received were utilised by that institute.

The Justice Minister said the National Hydrographic Bill had been submitted to the Parliament to enable the country to receive full benefits of ensuring safe passage of foreign vessels passing through local waters.

The NARA is the apex national institute vested with the responsibility of carrying out research, development and management of aquatic resources.

Responding to The Island query, Dr. Rajapakshe said it was possible that successive governments had not implemented the proposed system in line with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) deliberately.

Pointing out that 200 to 300 vessels entered Sri Lankan waters a day, Minister Rajapakshe declared that the Consolidated Fund could have received as much as USD 200 mn (Rs 60-65 bn) annually by providing the hydrographic maps at USD 25 each.

Dr. Rajapakshe explained how the project could contribute towards the government’s efforts to overcome economic difficulties experienced since 2020. Declaring that the Navy was fully capable of undertaking the project, he said that NARA and some surveyors had resisted the government move for obvious reasons.

According to the Minister, NARA wants the status quo to continue and receive payments from those who provide the services to the ships passing through Sri Lankan waters.

Minister Rajapakshe said that the Navy had brought the issue to his notice and he was glad to act on their concerns.

Commodore Kosala Warnakulasooriya functions as the Chief Hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS). Warnakulasooriya received the appointment at NARA on 10 Aug., this year.

Dr. Rajapakshe said that the Supreme Court had been moved against the proposed Act.

Referring to statistics provided by relevant authorities, Minister Rajapakshe said that all ports save the Hambantota Port had recorded a drop in ship arrivals due to several reasons, including the absence of proper hydrographic maps.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

10 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Latest News

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Latest News

Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

21 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.