News
NBRO victim of brain drain as other organisations offer better fringe benefits
The staff turnover at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) continues to remain high as the organisation cannot offer fringe benefits and high remuneration compared to other government statutory bodies and private sector organizations, the institution’s 2022 annual report states.
The annual report further states that recruitment is difficult and recruits often lack sufficient experience.In 2022, NBRO recruited 11 management assistants while 18 employees resigned and two retired. Overall, there is a shortage of 86 staffers, according to the report.
NBRO carries out activities of identification of slope instability, assessment of associated risk, mapping of hazardous zones, monitoring of ground movement and rainfall in landslide-prone areas, issuance of landslide early warning, mitigation of landslides and unstable slopes and building of awareness of landslide hazard. These activities are hampered by the lack of staff.
From March 2011 to 31 December 2022, NBRO has granted approval to over 100,000 applications seeking building permits or approval of development projects that are in landslide-prone areas, the report said.
The number of approvals issued in 2022 was 5157.
NBRO has also prepared landslide hazard zones’ maps (to the scale of 1:50,000) covering 32,593 square kilometres in 13 districts identified as landslide-prone.
The organisation has also performed 4600 landslide special investigations in 2022 at the cost of 69.5 million rupees. These investigations are conducted to identify risks to the safety of human settlements, infrastructure and plantations in a particular area.
NBRO earns money by providing testing and technical consultancy services, but due to restrictive regulations, it is difficult for NBRO to competitively bid for consultancies, the report adds. (RK)
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
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