News
Water tariff revision in line with project funded by ADB
Ministry Secy. contradicts PM’s Office over denial of Cabinet approval
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The recent water tariff increase has been in line with an agreement between the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
According to the Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry, the USD 200 mn loan has been announced, following a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, attended by President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, on 05 July. The ADB was meant to carry out a water reforms programme, the Ministry said.
Subsequently, Water Supply and State Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman (SLPP Nuwara Eliya District), who had jointly chaired the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, with former Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification pertaining to the new rates, effective from 03 August.
General Secretary of the CWC Thondaman received the relevant Cabinet portfolio in January this year from President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Ministry declared that the reforms undertaken were the most ambitious since the establishment of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), nearly 50 years ago. These comprehensive reforms were aimed at transforming the water sector and ensure sustainable water management for future generations, it said.
The seven-point reforms agenda comprised a) a new water resources policy to effectively manage the country’s water resources; b) the establishment of a corporate strategy for the Water Board; c) a climate resilience roadmap; d) a new tariff policy; e) modern water safety standards; f) the creation of an environmental and social unit within the Water Board; and g) the introduction of public-private partnerships in the water supply sector.
The Ministry has assured regular updates to the public to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the implementation process. However, a statement issued by the Ministry, following the 05 July meeting, hasn’t referred to financial difficulties experienced by the NWSDB.
Minister Thondaman, on 18 July, told Parliament that the government had no option but to increase water rates due to the increase of electricity tariffs by 66 percent. The Minister said that the increase of electricity rates has resulted in water management cost rising to Rs 435 mn. In addition to that, the NWSDB had to settle a Rs 2.4 bn loan, the Minister said, reminding that he informed Parliament last February of the urgent need to increase water rates.
The Minister said so responding to SJB lawmaker Ishak Rahuman. Thondaman revealed that he made available the new water tariffs formula to the Office of the Opposition Leader.
On the same day, Minister Thondaman strongly justified the water rates increase at a media briefing conducted at the Presidential Media Division. The youngest member of the Cabinet explained how an additional monthly expenditure of Rs 500 mn, in addition to substantial monthly losses of nearly Rs. 2.8 billion, and a projected annual loss of Rs. 34 billion, hindered the NWSDB’s ability to meet operational expenses, service debts, and maintain the quality of water supply services.
The increase was driven by several factors, including the surge in electricity tariffs, which contribute significantly to the cost of water production. Additionally, the burden of debt (due to past capital expenditure to expand water infrastructure), compounded by currency depreciation and interest rate hikes, together with the exponential increase in the cost of raw materials required to treat water, added to the financial strain on the NWSDB, the Minister added.
Close on the heels of Minister Thondaman declaring his intention to go ahead with a new tariffs formula, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s Office announced the Premier thwarted the move. According to the Premier’s Office, Gunawardena told the Cabinet of Ministers, on 17 July, he couldn’t accept increased water tariffs in a way the poor couldn’t afford.
Revealing that Premier Gunawardena, on three occasions, submitted his recommendations, in respect of Cabinet papers, in this regard, his Office said, on 21 July, that the Cabinet paper, on the new tariff structure, was put off for the third time, due to the MEP leader’s intervention.
Meanwhile, R.M.W.S. Saramadiwakara, Secretary to Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry, in a statement issued on 03 August, contradicted the Premier’s Office, pertaining to its claim that a decision on the new pricing formula was not taken on 17 July.
Samaradiwakera said that the new formula received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers on 17 July. Having explained the circumstances leading to the latest price revision, the Ministry Secretary said that in terms of the agreement with the ADB, a new pricing formula would be introduced.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
