<ul><li>Govt evaluates proposals submitted by interested parties</li><li>Single investor or multiple partners under consideration</li><li>Airport continues to incur around Rs 3 b in annual losses&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> The process of evaluating proposals to determine the future operator of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is currently underway, and the entire process is expected to be finalised by the middle of next year, Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said. Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said the Government is currently evaluating the proposals submitted by parties interested in taking part in the operation of the MRIA. “We are currently carrying out the evaluations. We hope that we will be able to finalise this whole process by mid next year. By that time, we will be able to form a new operational model,” he said. It was reported earlier the Government is considering whether to hand over the operation of the Hambantota-based Airport to a single investor or divide different aspects of its operations among several parties, depending on which arrangement would provide the greatest benefit to the country. Nineteen parties had submitted expressions of interest (EOIs), and the next stage was to issue requests for proposals to those parties. The Government called for EOIs earlier this year (2026) as part of its effort to find a joint venture partner or partners to operate the MRIA and improve its financial performance. The move came after years of low passenger numbers and high operating and maintenance costs at the Airport. Kodiththuwakku had previously told The Daily Morning that the MRIA had not generated the returns expected since it was established and continued to incur annual losses of around Rs 3 billion, a figure roughly equivalent to its operating costs. He said the Government had first focused on restoring the Airport to a condition in which it could operate safely, but that the priority had now shifted towards making the facility commercially viable. Located in Hambantota, the MRIA was built with the intention of supporting regional development and easing pressure on the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake. However, its low passenger volumes and the cost of maintaining the facility have made its future operation a longstanding issue for successive Governments.

Mattala deal by mid-2027?

<ul><li>New company and board appointed</li><li>Stakeholder deal holds up rollout</li></ul> The Government’s move to bring all 18 dedicated economic centres under a new centralised management structure has hit a delay, with the proposed administrative overhaul yet to be formally completed due to pending stakeholder agreements, Deputy Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister R M Jayawardena said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Jayawardena said that although a company had already been established and its board of directors appointed, the new administrative structure could not be formally finalised until an agreement was signed by traders, farmers and the newly established entity.“We have established the company by now. The board of directors has also been appointed. But, we have not yet been able to formally complete the administrative structure,” he said.He said that there had been a slight delay in signing the required agreement between the economic centre traders, farmers and the newly established entity.“The reason for this is that the traders at the economic centres, farmers and the company have to sign a joint agreement. There is a slight delay in signing that agreement. We hope to finalise it and complete this work as soon as possible.”The restructuring will change the way the dedicated economic centres are administered. Under the previous system, each centre was largely managed through a committee headed by the relevant District Secretary, with the Divisional Secretary and representatives of farming and business communities also involved.The Government has now moved towards a company-based structure, with the board of directors given the final authority to make decisions.The restructuring is part of the Government’s plan to bring all 18 dedicated economic centres under a common management system. The main dedicated economic centres are located in areas including Narahenpita, Dambulla, Veyangoda, Meegoda, Thambuttegama and Jaffna.

Economic centre shake-up delayed 

<ul><li>UN warns of agri activity disruption</li></ul>Sri Lanka could face above-normal rainfall from October through February, increasing the risk of floods, inundation and disruptions to agricultural activities, the United Nations (UN) has warned, even as the Government moves to compensate farmers already affected by extreme dry weather.The warning was issued in the UN’s latest assessment of the potential impacts of prevailing El Niño conditions across Asia, which identifies Sri Lanka as a country requiring heightened attention. Unlike some other countries facing increased drought risks, the key climate-related threat for Sri Lanka is expected to be excessive rainfall.According to the assessment, significant rainfall is expected across many parts of the country in October and November, while above-average rainfall could continue from December to February with the activation of the Northeast Monsoon.The UN warned that the combination of climate-related risks and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East could place further pressure on Sri Lanka’s economy. However, it noted that there remains a critical window for preparedness, as the risks have not yet developed into widespread impacts.Meanwhile, a Rs 5.8 billion-plus World Bank-funded programme has commenced to rehabilitate 296 minor irrigation tanks across the country and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector.The programme, implemented under the Integrated Rural-Urban Development and Climate Resilience Project, will continue until 2029.Under the regular rehabilitation component, work has commenced on six minor irrigation tanks in Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Jaffna, with Rs 256.17 million allocated. A further Rs 5.58 billion has been allocated to rehabilitate 290 tanks in 18 Districts damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.The rehabilitation is expected to improve water-holding capacity, irrigation efficiency and farmers’ access to reliable water, while strengthening irrigation systems against heavy rainfall, floods and droughts.However, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday (1) that nearly 8,000 acres of farmland belonging to around 7,000 farmers have already suffered crop damage due to extreme dry weather.The Government has allocated Rs 3 billion for the first phase of an expedited compensation programme covering paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, soya and chillies.Farmers will receive Rs 100,000 per hectare, subject to a maximum of five acres per farmer.Anuradhapura has recorded the highest crop damage at 1,923 acres, followed by Monaragala (1,421), Polonnaruwa (1,259), Ampara (1,055) and Hambantota (783).

Higher-than-normal rains at year-end

<ul><li>67 petitions filed against Bill&nbsp;</li><li>Court rejects call for full bench&nbsp;</li></ul> The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (1) began considering 67 petitions challenging the Government’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to extend the retirement age of Superior Court Judges by two years.The petitions are being heard before a five-member bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath B Abayakoon and K M Gihan H Kulatunga.A further five petitions have been filed challenging the Judicature Bill, which seeks to similarly extend the retirement age of members of the minor Judiciary by two years.At the outset, the SC ordered that proceedings be moved from Courtroom 502 to Courtroom 501 after several attorneys, including President’s Counsel (PC) M A Sumanthiran, pointed out that the original courtroom did not have sufficient space.Meanwhile, several counsel appearing for petitioners urged the Court to have the petitions considered by a full bench comprising all sitting SC judges.Sumanthiran PC made the request when the petitions were taken up before the five-member bench headed by CJ Surasena. PCs Saliya Pieris, M Ali Sabry, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Eraj de Silva, Srinath Perera, Anura Meddegoda and Maithri Gunaratne, among others, also supported the request.However, Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne PC, appearing for the Attorney General, submitted that the authority to determine the composition of a judicial bench rests with the Chief Justice.Referring to Article 132(3) of the Constitution, Dayaratne argued that the Chief Justice has the discretion to determine the number of judges on a bench and that such discretion could not be interfered with by another party. Nigel Hatch PC, appearing for an intervening petitioner, also made submissions on the Chief Justice’s discretion over bench composition.After considering the submissions, the SC rejected the request for a full bench and directed that the petitions proceed before the existing five-member bench.Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the SC has three weeks from yesterday to determine whether the proposed 22nd Amendment requires a referendum.He said the Court would consider the petitions and communicate its Determination to Parliament, deciding whether the Bill could be passed with a two-thirds majority alone or whether approval at a referendum would also be required.Jayatissa stressed that no referendum could be held on the proposed Amendment without an SC determination, regardless of whether such a request was made by the Government or Opposition.

SC takes up 22A challenges 

Forty professional organisations and trade unions have joined the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in opposing the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, warning that extending the retirement age of judges could undermine judicial independence, the rule of law and democracy.Representatives of the organisations met at the BASL on Monday (31) and adopted a joint statement endorsing the Association’s opposition to the proposed Amendment.Among the signatories are the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, Government Medical Officers’ Association, Railway Station Masters’ Union, Graded Principals’ Association, Academy of Health Professionals, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists and Locomotive Officers’ Association.The Government Union Printers, Postal Trade Union, Government Nursing Association and All Ceylon Management Service Association were also among the signatories, together with 24 other professional organisations and trade unions.The joint statement says the proposed extension of the retirement age of judges, including Judges of the Supreme Court (SC) and Court of Appeal, could have a direct impact on the independence of the Judiciary and, consequently, the rule of law, democracy and the sovereignty of the people.The organisations stressed that judicial power forms an integral part of the sovereignty of the people, while noting that Constitutional provisions governing the retirement age of Superior Court Judges are contained in the section dealing with the independence of the Judiciary.The statement also refers to the SC’s Special Determination on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill (SC/SD/64–71/2022). According to the BASL, the SC held that a Constitutional amendment affecting the retirement age or period of office of incumbent judges would impact judicial independence and violate Article 3 of the Constitution, thereby requiring approval by the people at a referendum.The signatories also cited opposition expressed by religious institutions, judicial bodies, professional organisations and national and international legal bodies, including the Buddhist clergy, Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Church of Ceylon, Judicial Service Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, LAWASIA, International Association of Judges, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and French National Bar Council.The organisations unanimously resolved to oppose the proposed Amendment, demand its immediate withdrawal and call for existing vacancies in the Superior Courts to be filled without delay.They further called for the matter to be submitted directly to the people at a referendum if the Government proceeds with the Amendment.The BASL said the joint statement demonstrated united opposition to any measure that could undermine judicial independence.

40 unions, professional bodies reject 22A

Former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne was yesterday (1) sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) by the Colombo High Court after being found guilty of corruption charges relating to a Rs 320,000 payment made by SriLankan Catering.The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had filed the case against Jayaratne, alleging that he committed the offence of corruption by causing a financial loss to the Government.The case centred on an incident in 2014, when Jayaratne, who was serving as Civil Aviation Minister, allegedly requested SriLankan Catering to provide lunch for his supporters participating in that year’s May Day parade.According to the indictment, SriLankan Catering, a State-owned enterprise, subsequently released Rs 320,000 from its account to a private catering service in Marawila to provide the refreshments.The prosecution alleged that Jayaratne had used his position as Minister to influence an executive officer of SriLankan Catering to make the payment.Following a lengthy trial before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail, the Court had fixed yesterday for the delivery of the verdict.The Court subsequently found Jayaratne guilty and imposed the seven-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment over the offence.The case was instituted by CIABOC based on allegations that the payment, which was made from the funds of the State-owned SriLankan Catering, had been caused by Jayaratne for the benefit of his political supporters, resulting in a loss to the Government.

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 years RI

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for climate change to be treated as a serious national security threat rather than merely an environmental issue, stressing that its impacts extend to the economy, food and water security, biodiversity and human life.Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, Premadasa said national security should not be viewed solely in terms of military security, given the wide-ranging threats posed by climate change.He said challenges such as rising costs of goods and services and water scarcity demonstrated that tackling climate change could not be left to the Government alone.Premadasa stressed that Sri Lanka’s entire population of 22 million, Parliament and civil society must work together to address the issue, regardless of political party affiliations.He also proposed establishing environmental societies at Divisional Secretariat level to take knowledge on environmental and wildlife-related issues to rural communities and strengthen public participation in conservation efforts.Premadasa further stressed the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s traditional perahera culture and its elephant population for future generations.In this regard, he proposed establishing a special elephant pool through the breeding of young elephants from existing domesticated and tamed elephants, instead of capturing elephants from the wild.He said such an approach could help ensure the continued availability of elephants for traditional cultural events while reducing the need to remove elephants from their natural habitats.

Climate change a national security threat: Sajith

The Government is moving to toughen the legal framework for repeat offenders while exploring house arrest for certain prisoners, as part of a broader judicial reform programme aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and improving the efficiency of the justice system.The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to amend the Community-Based Corrections Act, No. 46 of 1999, to enable more effective enforcement against individuals who repeatedly commit offences.The decision follows Cabinet approval granted on 7 April 2025 to amend the relevant provisions of the Act. The draft Community-Based Corrections (Amendment) Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has since received clearance from the Attorney General.Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by Justice Minister Attorney Harshana Nanayakkara to publish the Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently present it to Parliament for approval.Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday (1) that legal reforms were also being pursued to allow certain individuals to serve sentences under house arrest instead of imprisonment.He said several reforms were currently being discussed and legislation was being drafted to address prison overcrowding, expedite reports from the Government Analyst’s (GA) Department, facilitate bail for those unable to secure bail and introduce house arrest as an alternative to imprisonment in appropriate cases.“The proposal to increase the retirement age of judges is also being considered within this broader framework of judicial reforms,” he added.Justice Minister Nanayakkara, meanwhile, stressed that the Government would show no leniency towards those involved in selling narcotics.Speaking at Mahara Prison yesterday during a discussion on a joint mechanism to respond rapidly to emergencies in prisons, he said the Government was making drug seizures that had not been carried out under previous administrations.However, Nanayakkara stressed that not every person in prison should be considered a criminal, noting that some inmates had been imprisoned for offences committed on a single occasion and should be given an opportunity for a second chance.He also said delays in issuing forensic reports had been a serious problem but that measures had now been taken to address the backlog. Recruitment to the GA’s Department had been completed, while officials were working until around 10 p.m. to expedite pending reports.A total of 9,081 forensic reports were issued in August, he said, adding that the Government expects to clear all outstanding reports within the next two months.Nanayakkara said joint mechanisms had now been established at 15 prisons to identify potential problems before they escalate, coordinate rapid responses during emergencies and improve inmate welfare.Meeting remand prisoners at Mahara, he said 500 forensic reports relating to the prison had been issued last month and urged inmates to avoid returning to drug-related offences after their release and become productive members of society.

Govt to tighten net on repeat offenders 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to provide a US $ 1 million humanitarian donation to the Nepali Government following the devastating flash floods that struck the Raghuwa District in northern Nepal on 26 August. The floods have caused significant loss of life and extensive damage to property and infrastructure, placing a severe humanitarian burden on the Government and people of Nepal. According to the Government, urgent relief and recovery assistance is required as search operations for missing persons continue, the risk of further flooding remains and critical infrastructure has suffered extensive damage. Cabinet approval was granted for a proposal submitted by the President.

Mattala deal by mid-2027?

Economic centre shake-up delayed

Economic centre shake-up delay ...

Higher-than-normal rains at year-end

Higher-than-normal rains at ye ...

SC takes up 22A challenges

SC takes up 22A challenges

40 unions, professional bodies reject 22A

40 unions, professional bodies ...

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 years RI

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 yea ...

Climate change a national security threat: Sajith

Climate change a national secu ...

Govt to tighten net on repeat offenders

Govt to tighten net on repeat ...

Cabinet approves $ 1 m for Nepal

Cabinet approves $ 1 m for Nep ...

Economic centre shake-up delayed

Economic centre shake-up delay ...

Higher-than-normal rains at year-end

Higher-than-normal rains at ye ...

SC takes up 22A challenges

SC takes up 22A challenges

40 unions, professional bodies reject 22A

40 unions, professional bodies ...

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 years RI

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 yea ...

Climate change a national security threat: Sajith

Climate change a national secu ...

Govt to tighten net on repeat offenders

Govt to tighten net on repeat ...

Cabinet approves $ 1 m for Nepal

Cabinet approves $ 1 m for Nep ...

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Economic centre shake-up delayed

Economic centre shake-up delay ...

Higher-than-normal rains at year-end

Higher-than-normal rains at ye ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

SC takes up 22A challenges

SC takes up 22A challenges

40 unions, professional bodies reject 22A

40 unions, professional bodies ...

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 years RI

Piyankara Jayaratne gets 7 yea ...

Climate change a national security threat: Sajith

Climate change a national secu ...