The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply has confirmed the Government is engaged in discussions on a possible revision of the National Physical Plan.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy subject Minister T.B. Sarath said that changes would be considered if new scientific data warranted such revisions. “If any changes are required based on new scientific data, we will have to proceed with them,” he said.He added the current situation is unprecedented for Sri Lanka and may necessitate adjustments to the existing plan. “This is a situation Sri Lanka has never faced before, and changes to the National Physical Plan may be necessary. Once initial discussions within the Government are concluded, we will engage relevant experts and carry out the required additions and revisions."The discussions follow concerns raised in a national audit report and by other stakeholders. A recent report by the National Audit Office revealed that the National Building Research Organisation has identified more than 84,000 houses, shops, schools, and religious buildings located in high-risk landslide zones. The report also noted that a significant portion of high-risk areas remains unmapped.

National Physical Plan: Government weighs changes

<ul><li>January changes remain on track</li><li>Unions object to extended hours</li></ul> The Ministry of Education stated the recent disruptions caused by floods and landslides will not affect the implementation of education reforms set to begin in January 2026, including the extension of school hours until 2 p.m. and changes to the curriculum.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ministry Secretary, Nalaka Kaluwewa said the reforms would proceed exactly as planned. "When schools reopen in January, all previously announced changes will come into effect across the relevant grades, with full implementation expected by 22 January. Schools have already been instructed through circulars to operate in line with the new framework."A one-week familiarisation programme will be in place for Grade Six students before the reforms are rolled out. The extended school day, which will run until 2 p.m., will also be implemented as scheduled.Under the reform package, the number of subjects at the Ordinary Level examination will be reduced to seven. Students will study five core subjects — Mathematics, English, their Mother Tongue, Religion, and Science — and choose two more from streams such as Technology, Aesthetics, Management and Entrepreneurship, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health and Physical Education. The school timetable will shift to seven teaching periods per day, each lasting 50 minutes.Several teachers’ trade unions, including the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU), have opposed the extension of school hours, arguing the reforms should be carried out within the current 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. timetable. Unions have also claimed that the Ministry failed to consult teachers adequately before finalising the changes.Responding to these criticisms, Kaluwewa said earlier the Ministry had offered multiple opportunities for unions to present their views. “We have given enough opportunities for the TUs to express their opinions. On two occasions, when almost all unions were invited, some representatives walked out without engaging in any discussion,” he said.

Education: Reforms proceed despite disruptions

<ul><li>Losses run into millions</li><li>Patients referred to other hospitals</li></ul> The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) said the damage caused to medical imaging equipment by floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah is being assessed, with preliminary estimates indicating losses amounting to several million rupees.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (14), the GRTA President, Chanaka Dharmawickrama said that several medical equipment have been severely affected at major hospitals, and that the possibility of repairing them is currently under review,&nbsp;At the Base Hospital in Mahiyangana, a static X-ray machine, two X-ray image processing units, and related X-ray accessories have been damaged. In addition, a static X-ray machine at the District General Hospital (DGH) in Chilaw, along with a theatre C-arm machine and a computed tomography (CT) scanner, also sustained damage due to flooding.He said that floodwater had extensively damaged the static X-ray machine at the Base Hospital, Mahiyangana, making it unusable and likely to be discarded. However, he added that efforts are under way to source a similar machine from a hospital in Polonnaruwa, where the equipment is currently not in use.According to the GRTA President, the replacement cost of some of the damaged equipment now exceeds Rs. 150 million. He explained the CT scanner at the DGH in Chilaw, which had been purchased several years ago at a cost of around Rs. 40 million, would now cost the Government more than Rs. 150 million to replace. He added that local agents are taking steps to clean the affected equipment and replace components that can be salvaged.In the meantime, patients requiring X-ray services at the Base Hospital, Mahiyangana, are being referred to the Base Hospital in Bibila. Patients in need of CT scan services from the DGH in Chilaw, are being redirected to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo and the Teaching Hospitals in Kurunegala and Ragama, he said.Attempts to contact the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe proved futile.&nbsp;

Health Services: Floods damage imaging equipment

<ul><li>Indian aid and local funds to support reconstruction</li><li>TPA urges targeted recovery for Malaiyaha community</li></ul> The Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure has announced that it would directly oversee the construction of new houses for the estate sector community workers affected by Cyclone Ditwah.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy subject Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said the Government would directly manage the housing initiative. “We are going to take care of the housing facilities of the estate sector community ourselves. We have received Indian aid specifically for the estate sector community, and we will be using that,” he added.He explained the first phase of the project would involve identifying suitable land for construction, with recommendations sought from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). “We will work to build houses near the relevant plantations to ensure the industry is not disrupted. If the NBRO does not authorise the construction of houses in the estates where the affected people lived, we will move to the next available plantation area."Regarding funding, he said that each house in the estate sector community affected by the disasters is expected to receive Rs. 2.8 million from the Indian donation, supplemented by Rs. 400,000 from the Sri Lankan Government.Meanwhile, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has requested an urgent meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss issues affecting the estate sector community hit by the recent natural disasters. In a letter to the President, the Alliance's leader and parliamentarian, Mano Ganesan, said that residents of hilly regions—including Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Matale—were among the worst affected.He added, “The Malaiyaha community (people of Indian origin in Sri Lanka associated with plantations) continues to face comparatively low and, in some sectors, negative human development indicators, particularly in land ownership, housing, education, health, and poverty alleviation. This community requires a differentiated and targeted approach during the recovery and rebuilding phase.”

Estate sector community housing: Government to build houses for affected workers

<ul><li>Easterly wave to enhance rainfall</li><li>Over 1.3m affected by Cyclone Ditwah</li></ul>The Department of Meteorology has warned that showery conditions are expected to intensify across the island from tomorrow (16) under the influence of an easterly wave.In its weather forecast for today (15), issued at 2.00 p.m. yesterday (14), the Department stated that several spells of showers are likely in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, Central, and North-Western Provinces. Showers or thundershowers may also occur at several places in other parts of the island after 1.00 p.m.Fairly strong winds, ranging between 30–40 kmph, are expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-Central, and North-Western Provinces, and in the Trincomalee, Hambantota, and Monaragala districts. Misty conditions are also likely during the early morning hours in parts of the Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces, and in the Galle and Matara Districts.The general public has been advised to take necessary precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers. With regard to sea conditions, the Department stated that showers would occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in other surrounding sea areas during the evening or night.Winds will be north-easterly at speeds of 30–40 kmph, with gusts increasing up to 50–55 kmph at times in sea areas off the coast from Kalutara to Trincomalee via Puttalam and Kankasanthurai, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Sea areas along these stretches are expected to be rough at times, while other sea areas around the island will remain moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thunderstorms.Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), issuing a situation report as of 5.00 p.m. yesterday, said the impact of natural disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah remains severe across the country.According to the DMC, a total of 1,344,898 persons belonging to 385,093 families have been affected due to natural disasters caused by the Cyclone. The death toll stands at 644, while 183 persons remain missing. Fully damaged houses number 6,163, with a further 112,171 houses partially damaged. The DMC stated that 766 safety centres are currently in operation, sheltering 70,359 people from 22,638 families.

Weather and Disaster Update: Showers to intensify as impacts linger

<ul><li>PUCSL asked to fix submission dates</li><li>Ministry says proposal coming soon</li></ul> The Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) stated the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) should announce definite deadlines for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to submit electricity tariff revision proposals.Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the current electricity tariffs were meant to remain in effect only until the end of this year (2025) and that a new tariff revision should come into force from January 2026. However, he claimed there appeared to be no preparation on the part of the CEB to submit a proposal any time soon.“I checked with the PUCSL last week, and they still have not received any tariff revision proposal from the CEB. When it is dry weather, the CEB presents proposals very promptly. But now, when hydropower generation is at its peak, there is no urgency. This is why the PUCSL should clearly declare specific dates by which tariff revision proposals should be submitted. Otherwise, every time, the CEB fails to act on time." he said.The ECA earlier stated the upcoming tariff revision in January 2026 should bring a substantial reduction for consumers, given the sharp increase in hydropower generation in recent months. Dhammika claimed that earlier forecasts presented by the CEB on hydropower availability had been inaccurate, leading to higher tariffs that consumers were forced to bear unnecessarily.When contacted by The Daily Morning, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, who also serves as the Acting Chairperson of the CEB, said: “The deadline for submitting the tariff revision proposal was 15 November. The CEB requested an extension from the PUCSL, and the proposal will be submitted shortly.”Sri Lanka’s hydropower sector, which includes major schemes such as the Mahaweli system and several reservoirs across the island, continues to play a crucial role in meeting national electricity demand. In recent weeks, heavy rainfall has rapidly increased water levels in key reservoirs, significantly boosting hydropower generation across the national grid.

Electricity Tariffs: ECA urges deadline for tariff proposals

<ul><li>Official procedures urged amid social media adoption offers</li></ul> The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is compiling a comprehensive database to register children who lost their guardians due to recent natural disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the aim of supporting their care and identifying suitable guardians through formal channels, it is learnt. Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Ministry’s Legal Officer, Kumudu Perera, said that authorities are currently focused on data collection. “We are gathering information on how many children lost their guardians. Our aim is to register all such children under either probation homes or the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA),” she explained.She added that the authorities would determine the necessary actions for orphaned children when the data collection process is over. “We are designing a programme to ensure that all children are placed in safe homes with guardians rather than being handed over to probation centres,” she said. Perera emphasised the Government is the rightful guardian of children who have lost their parents and urged the public to follow official procedures rather than attempting to adopt children through social media. “We advise prospective adoptive parents to wait for the formal implementation of the programme and then follow the relevant legal procedures under our supervision."The warning comes after reports that some individuals have expressed willingness to adopt children affected by the disaster via social media platforms. The public has been urged to report related concerns through the hotline 1929.

Child Protection: Ministry registers children orphaned by disasters

<ul><li>Adverse reactions and quality concerns cited</li><li>Doctors raise regulatory oversight concerns</li></ul> The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has temporarily withdrawn four batches of Ondansetron Injection with immediate effect, citing adverse drug reactions and suspected quality issues.Ondansetron Injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, cancer chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.According to a letter issued by the NMRA, seen by The Daily Morning, batches OD24021E, OD25009E, and OD25023E were withdrawn on 12 December following reports of adverse reactions. The affected batches were manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical company and marketed by a pharmaceutical firm located in Colombo 10.The NMRA stated that the decision followed a safety risk evaluation based on adverse drug reaction reports received by the Authority, as well as recommendations contained in a preliminary investigation report by a Consultant Microbiologist at the National Hospital, Kandy. The Authority has also instructed the relevant company to submit an explanation from the manufacturer within 28 days from the date of the notice.Confirming the withdrawal, NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema told The Daily Morning that instructions had been issued to withhold the use of the injection after adverse reactions were reported among some patients. He added that further laboratory tests are being carried out following reports of a germ detected in the drug.Meanwhile, President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said that after the current Government assumed office, regulatory provisions were introduced to allow medicines approved by the Indian drug regulatory authority to be used in Sri Lanka’s hospital system without additional local testing. He claimed that despite objections raised, the NMRA proceeded with such approvals, amounting to a failure in its regulatory responsibilities, and said the Ministry of Health bears direct responsibility for the financial losses arising from substandard medicines.

Drug Safety Alert: NMRA withdraws Ondansetron batches

<ul><li>Donations received from 40 countries</li></ul>The Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, established by the Government to provide relief to those affected by recent disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has received more than Rs. 3.4 billion to date, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said.He said the fund has attracted contributions from local business leaders, Sri Lankans living overseas, and foreign institutions, with the total amount collected so far equivalent to approximately USD 11 million. Of this, foreign currency contributions account for USD 4.1 million.Speaking further, Dr. Suriyapperuma said that financial assistance has been received from 40 countries, with the United States contributing the largest share. He added that significant donations have also been made by Sri Lankans residing in Australia, as well as from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Maldives, Saudi Arabia, France, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.Several Sri Lankan business institutions have each contributed more than Rs. 100 million to the fund, while four additional donations ranging between Rs. 20 million to Rs. 100 million have been received from members of the business community and the public, he said.

National Physical Plan: Government weighs changes

Education: Reforms proceed despite disruptions

Education: Reforms proceed des ...

Health Services: Floods damage imaging equipment

Health Services: Floods damage ...

Estate sector community housing: Government to build houses for affect ...

Estate sector community housin ...

Weather and Disaster Update: Showers to intensify as impacts linger

Weather and Disaster Update: S ...

Electricity Tariffs: ECA urges deadline for tariff proposals

Electricity Tariffs: ECA urges ...

Child Protection: Ministry registers children orphaned by disasters

Child Protection: Ministry reg ...

Drug Safety Alert: NMRA withdraws Ondansetron batches

Drug Safety Alert: NMRA withdr ...

Rebuilding Efforts: Rebuild Sri Lanka fund tops Rs. 3.4bn

Rebuilding Efforts: Rebuild Sr ...

Education: Reforms proceed despite disruptions

Education: Reforms proceed des ...

Health Services: Floods damage imaging equipment

Health Services: Floods damage ...

Estate sector community housing: Government to build houses for affect ...

Estate sector community housin ...

Weather and Disaster Update: Showers to intensify as impacts linger

Weather and Disaster Update: S ...

Electricity Tariffs: ECA urges deadline for tariff proposals

Electricity Tariffs: ECA urges ...

Child Protection: Ministry registers children orphaned by disasters

Child Protection: Ministry reg ...

Drug Safety Alert: NMRA withdraws Ondansetron batches

Drug Safety Alert: NMRA withdr ...

Rebuilding Efforts: Rebuild Sri Lanka fund tops Rs. 3.4bn

Rebuilding Efforts: Rebuild Sr ...

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