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NARA hits back at Justice Minister, alleges Navy making bid to take over its functions

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Jt. Secretary of Scientists Association, NARA, Nilupa Samarakoon addressing the media

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) yesterday (07) denied accusations that the premier marine research institute continued to cause massive loss of revenue to the government due to its failure to achieve key responsibility in preparing Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC)/hydrographic maps to be sold to foreign vessels passing through Sri Lankan waters.

NARA maintains that there is absolutely no basis for the allegations made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, recently.

Addressing the media on behalf of NARA at its head office at Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, President of the Scientists Association, NARA, Upul Liyanage, its Jt. Secretary Nilupa Samarakoon and D.V.S. P. Bandara of the Technology Transfer Division alleged attempts were being made by interested parties to establish another setup similar to NARA at the expense of an institution that served the country for well over two decades.

They appreciated the initial assistance provided by Germany, beginning in 1986, to facilitate NARA ‘operations.’

The NARA is the apex national institute vested with the responsibility of carrying out research, development and management of aquatic resources. The agency comes under the purview of Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda.

Among the allegations directed at NARA pertained to the utilization of funds received for services provided to foreign parties and lack of commitment to meet the challenging tasks.

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.

However, NARA alleged that the proposed Bill was meant to weaken NARA to pave the way for the Navy to take over the operation. Repeatedly asked why NARA opposed the Bill, the state enterprise insisted that it couldn’t give reasons as the Supreme Court had been moved by the Scientists Association.

Responding to queries, NARA emphasized that Minister Rajapakshe’s claims that Sri Lanka could earn as much as USD 200 mn annually (or Rs 65 bn) if the Navy took over the job didn’t hold water.

Commenting on accusations pertaining to misappropriation of public funds, NARA said that the agency used to receive Rs 20 m annually though that was now down to Rs 1.5 mn. Declaring that NARA hadn’t been found fault by State Audit under any circumstances, they urged the government to provide the required support and help overcome whatever shortcomings.

Reference was also made to the joint Indo-Sri Lanka hydrographic survey undertaken sometime back. NARA declined to answer questions on various projections made by the Navy while repeatedly pointing out that financial gains couldn’t often match massive investments made by the government.

NARA said that contrary to accusations the agency always managed to meet the country’s requirements over the years. There hadn’t been a single instance of the country having to bring in outside expertise as NARA met the requirements. Unfortunately now attempts were being made to tarnish NARA’s image to such an extent both local and foreign parties would lose their confidence in the agency.

NARA acknowledged that they worked with the Navy and since 2019 the only research vessel it owned was manned by the Navy.

NARA said that the agency had been severely perturbed by the move to enact a new Bill amidst heavy onslaught by interested parties.



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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.


Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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