<ul><li>Fresh Cabinet approval sought</li><li>Project scope revised</li><li>Transmission capacity raised from 220 kV to 580 kV</li><li>Engineers question timing of revision</li><li>Fresh tender to be called</li></ul>&nbsp;The long-awaited India-backed Sampur-Kappalthurai transmission infrastructure project, a key component of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy expansion and the planned Sampur Solar Park, is likely to be delayed after authorities decided to revise the project’s transmission capacity and seek fresh Cabinet approval before proceeding with part of the procurement process, The Sunday Morning reliably learns.National Transmission Network Service Provider (NTNSP) Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga told The Sunday Morning that the project’s scope had been revised to accommodate future electricity demand and renewable energy generation expected from the Eastern Province.“There has been a change in the scope as the initially planned transmission capacity was 220 kV, which has now been increased to 580 kV due to the expected demand for transmission and future power generation from the area,” Kumaratunga said.“We have already written to the Cabinet informing it of the current changes made and are waiting for Cabinet approval. Once we receive approval, we will call for tenders covering the revised scope,” he said.When asked about the time taken to reach the tender stage, Kumaratunga acknowledged that the process had taken about a year, but said that the revision would not require the entire project to be retendered.“It took around a year, but the entire project won’t be retendered. Only the recent addition will require a tender, so it shouldn’t take much longer.”&nbsp;The development comes as the Government seeks to accelerate renewable energy integration into the national grid while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate large-scale solar projects planned for the Trincomalee region.According to the ‘Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Proposed Sampur-Kappalthurai Transmission Infrastructure Development Project’ report (July 2025), the project originally dates back to 2015, when the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposed constructing a 37.6 km, 220 kV transmission line linking the planned Sampur Collector Grid Substation with the existing Kappalthurai Grid Substation.&nbsp;At the time, the transmission line was intended to evacuate electricity generated by the proposed Sampur coal-fired power plant.However, after the coal power project was cancelled following the change in government in 2015, the project was redesigned to support Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy. The land originally allocated for the coal plant is now planned to host a 120 MW solar park, with the transmission line serving as the evacuation route for electricity generated by the facility.The ESIA notes that the Sampur Solar Park will be developed in phases, with the first 50 MW expected to be connected to the national grid in early 2028, followed by a further 70 MW in a second phase. It also notes that renewable energy projects in the surrounding area with a combined capacity of around 700 MW are currently undergoing the initial approval process.The report further states that the project has already obtained the required domestic environmental approvals. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) granted conditional approval in December 2023 based on an updated Initial Environmental Examination, while other statutory approvals have also been secured.Since the project is expected to be financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the ESIA has been prepared in accordance with both Sri Lankan environmental laws and the AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework.Meanwhile, electrical engineers familiar with the project have questioned the rationale behind revising the transmission line capacity at this stage, arguing that the existing design had already been developed to facilitate future renewable energy development.According to the engineers, following the cancellation of the proposed Sampur coal-fired power plant, a 120 MW solar power project was planned for the same site under a joint venture involving the Governments of Sri Lanka and India.&nbsp;They allege that the project’s capacity was subsequently decreased to 50 MW during the planning stage, describing the decision as an inefficient use of the land allocated for the development.The engineers note that Kappalthurai serves as the principal grid substation connecting the Trincomalee region to the national grid and forms part of a broader transmission expansion that includes planned 400 kV transmission lines linking Kilinochchi, Kappalthurai, and Habarana.&nbsp;They argue that the proposed Sampur-Kappalthurai transmission line is a critical component required to connect the Sampur solar development to the national grid.They also state that the AIIB is prepared to provide concessional financing for the transmission infrastructure and related projects.According to the engineers, although tenders have already been called for the transmission line, authorities have delayed opening the financial bids on the basis that the line may not have sufficient capacity to absorb future solar generation in the region.The engineers dispute that assessment, arguing that the transmission line had already been designed to accommodate up to around 600 MW of generation and questioning how a design developed over several years could suddenly be considered inadequate.They further contend that increasing the transmission capacity at this stage could result in parts of the procurement process being repeated, delaying the transmission project and related renewable energy developments.The engineers also argue that prolonged delays could discourage foreign investors and international financing institutions involved in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy programme while slowing efforts to integrate large-scale renewable energy projects into the national grid.They further warn that postponements to key transmission infrastructure could affect future electricity supply if planned renewable energy projects are not commissioned according to schedule.

Delay hits India-backed Sampur solar project

&nbsp;The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had not been instructed to investigate the death of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne as of Friday (17) afternoon, with the inquiry instead being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station, The Sunday Morning learns.A senior official attached to the CID, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the department had not received any instructions from the IGP to take over the investigation.“The CID has not been instructed to investigate the incident,” the official claimed.The official noted that Wickramaratne was one of the key witnesses in multiple ongoing investigations, including the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and was also the complainant in the high-profile ‘floating firearms’ case.Asked why the CID had not been assigned to investigate the former IGP’s death, given his involvement in these cases, the official said that the department had not been informed of the reason.According to the Police, investigations commenced after the Malabe Police Station received information that Wickramaratne had been admitted to the Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa with gunshot injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.The Police said the injuries had been sustained during an incident at his residence on Parakum Road in Thalangama, within the Malabe Police Division.When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said that two Police teams had already commenced investigations into the incident.“The initial conclusion is that it is a suicide. However, we are awaiting the post-mortem report,” he told The Sunday Morning.ASP Wootler added that the post-mortem examination would determine the next course of the investigation.“If the post-mortem findings raise any suspicion or indicate the need for further investigations, the IGP will decide which department should handle the case,” he said.He declined to speculate on whether the CID would subsequently be assigned to the investigation.The remains of the former IGP have been placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, Mulleriyawa, where the post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted.Wickramaratne served as the 35th IGP from 27 November 2020 until 23 November 2023. He was 63 years old at the time of his death.

Former IGP’s death: CID not assigned to probe

<ul><li>Non-revenue water a central driver of&nbsp; burden passed on to customers</li></ul> Operational inefficiencies, prolonged project delays, and weak financial management at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) have indirectly contributed to the steep water tariff increases imposed on the public, a special audit report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found, indicating that consumers have effectively been made to absorb the cost of the board’s own shortcomings.&nbsp;The report, signed by Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathna, identifies the board’s level of non-revenue water – treated water lost through leaks, illegal connections, and metering failures before it can be billed – as a central driver of the burden passed on to paying customers.&nbsp;Non-revenue water stood at 28% in 2023, almost double the optimal level of 15%, and was estimated to have cost the board Rs. 11.6 billion that year alone. Kandy North recorded the highest rate, at 38.72%. The audit found that the board had not taken adequate measures to manage the problem, effectively transferring the resulting financial loss to consumers through higher tariffs.&nbsp;Delays to foreign loan-funded infrastructure projects added further to the cost. Nineteen such projects were delayed by periods ranging from one-and-a-half to seven years, with delays to five of them alone estimated to have cost the board Rs. 870.52 million in lost revenue from new connections that could not be provided as scheduled.&nbsp;Separately, the Government had paid Rs. 2.25 billion in commitment fees to foreign lenders because the board failed to utilise loan funds within the agreed timeframes, an expense the audit noted had ultimately been borne within the same tariff structure imposed on the public.&nbsp;Staff costs, which accounted for approximately 36% of the board’s total operating expenditure, were also flagged as a contributing factor. The audit found that the board paid out Rs. 894 million in bonuses and incentives in 2023 despite recording operating losses in most years between 2018 and 2022, and that the cost per employee rose by 26.67% between 2019 and 2023 even as the number of permanent staff declined.&nbsp;The Ministry of Water Supply separately owed the board Rs. 263.33 million in relation to 15 employees who had been released to the ministry but remained on the board’s payroll.&nbsp;Against this backdrop, the audit found that tariffs were raised by 70% in September 2022 and revised again in August 2023, resulting in an increase of approximately 100% compared to rates introduced in 2012. Domestic consumers using between six and 15 units a month, the largest consumer category, saw bills rise by between 310% and 319% compared to 2012 levels, while average monthly bills for educational institutions increased by between 275% and 21,454% following the 2023 revision.&nbsp;A subsequent 5% tariff reduction in August 2024, introduced after a decline in electricity prices, provided what the audit described as negligible relief: the average monthly bill for a single connection fell from Rs. 2,303 in December 2023 to just Rs. 2,284 in December 2024, a drop of only Rs. 19, leaving bills more than 52% higher than in January 2023. Several categories, including religious institutions, commercial consumers, bulk water supplies, and public water taps, received no reduction at all in 2024.&nbsp;The board had extended piped water access to only 48.1% of the population by the end of 2023, and its Water for All programme, which targeted 79% coverage by 2025, had recorded what the audit termed very low progress. The report also noted that energy costs made up 22% of water production expenses, with several planned energy efficiency projects, including upgrades at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant and a Rs. 153 million solar investment, left incomplete.&nbsp;The Auditor General recommended that losses arising from project delays, management failures, and operational inefficiencies should no longer be transferred to consumers. The report called for future tariff revisions to be conducted transparently within established timeframes using the formula introduced in 2024, along with urgent measures to reduce non-revenue water, stricter enforcement against water wastage, and the linking of staff bonuses to measurable performance targets, noting that the board had operated for 49 years without a formal, transparent tariff policy.&nbsp;Attempts to contact the Minister and Deputy Minister of Water Supply and the NWSDB Chairman for comments on the audit findings were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said that a water tariff formula was now in operation and that a national policy had also been established.

Water supply: Consumers to foot NWSDB failures: Audit

The rollout of Sri Lanka’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority has been delayed as the Government continues to draft the regulations needed to implement the country’s first unified gambling regulatory framework, The Sunday Morning learns.&nbsp;Authorities said that the additional time was required to ensure the regulations complied with international standards.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, the Acting Director General (DG) of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, who did not wish to be named due to their interim appointment, said that the 30 June target for implementing the first phase of regulations was an internal deadline under the authority’s implementation plan, but noted that the process had taken longer than expected due to its complexity.“That deadline was as per our implementation phase-out plan. However, the process is a bit complex considering the nature of the industry. This is the first time Sri Lanka is experiencing gambling regulation under a single regulatory authority, so we don’t want to miss anything,” the Acting DG said.While an international consultant had created the initial draft regulations, the authority had implemented many additional vetting processes before finalising the framework, which has also contributed towards the delay, it is learnt.“We came up with the draft, prepared by an international consultant. In addition, we are establishing a few other vetting processes, which are to be prioritised. That is the reason for the delay,” the Acting DG explained.The planned regulations are currently undergoing expert review before being submitted to the Attorney General’s Department, followed by Cabinet approval, gazette notification, and finally parliamentary approval.While declining to specify a revised implementation date, the Acting Director General stated that the authority was confident that the regulations would be implemented as soon as possible.“I would like to reserve the exact implementation date for the moment, as the next phases are also involved in the process. We have a very optimistic deadline for the ongoing process. We plan to come up with the regulations as soon as possible,” they added.According to them, the first phase of regulations will prioritise four key areas, including licensing and fees, online gambling, anti-money laundering, and a ministerial order under Section 19 of the act.The official confirmed that further international reviews would be conducted to ensure the regulations aligned with global standards and best practices.“Other than local expertise, we need international expertise to explore certain mechanisms and platforms. We want to check to what extent we align with international requirements and best practices, just to ensure the regulations are robust from every possible angle,” the Acting DG said.The authority is also expected to appoint a permanent director general by early August.The comments follow concerns that were raised at the latest Committee on Public Finance (COPF) meeting, when officials questioned why the regulations required to operationalise the Gambling Regulatory Authority had not been implemented by 30 June, despite the target date.During the committee meeting, authorities informed the COPF that regulations governing gambling firms, including casinos, had already been prepared using regulatory models from countries such as Singapore and had been forwarded to an expert panel for approval.Officials also informed the committee that a UK expert would visit Sri Lanka next month to provide technical guidance, and that the EU Global Facility was providing support to strengthen the country’s anti-money laundering system.

Gambling Authority: Regulatory overhaul to take longer

The Government plans to begin releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes around 2027 as preparatory work resumes on the country’s long-delayed dengue control programme, according to a senior National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) official.NDCU Consultant Community Physician Dr. Preshila Samaraweera told The Sunday Morning that work to establish a laboratory for the programme had begun, although the facility was not yet operational.“The release of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes is planned to begin around 2027,” she said, adding that the release phase would typically continue for three months. However, she did not specify an exact starting date.The Wolbachia method involves introducing the naturally occurring Wolbachia bacterium into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. According to the World Mosquito Program, the bacterium makes it more difficult for viruses such as dengue to reproduce inside mosquitoes, thereby reducing their ability to transmit the disease.Wolbachia occurs naturally in approximately 60% of insect species but is not normally found in Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue. Therefore, mosquitoes carrying the bacterium must first be bred under laboratory conditions before being released.Sri Lanka previously piloted the release of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes in selected high-risk areas in Colombo and Nugegoda between 2018 and 2021. Programme records indicate that the project secured a community acceptance rate of 98%.The pilot completed its planned cycle in June 2021 but was not subsequently expanded into a permanent national programme. The delay has been attributed to operational, logistical, and economic challenges.The Covid-19 pandemic emerged while mosquito releases were underway, prompting the diversion of Health Ministry resources, field personnel, and public health infrastructure towards pandemic control. This disrupted data collection and weakened the operational momentum required to expand the programme.The project also relied on Wolbachia-carrying mosquito eggs imported from Australia through the World Mosquito Program. As Sri Lanka did not have a fully operational local breeding facility, international border closures disrupted the supply chain.The economic crisis that followed in 2021 further restricted funding for laboratory breeding, community mobilisation, and the long-term biological monitoring required by the programme. Medical unions and public health specialists have also maintained that bureaucratic delays prevented the successful pilot from being incorporated into national dengue control policy.The renewed work on Wolbachia forms part of a broader set of measures the Government has indicated it intends to pursue against dengue. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa separately announced last week that Sri Lanka was also considering the introduction of an internationally approved dengue vaccine.The development comes as the country continues to record a high dengue caseload. According to the NDCU, 73,455 cases and 50 deaths have been reported this year as of Friday (17).The unit reported that 1,025 new patients had been identified within the preceding 24 hours, while 17,051 cases had been recorded during the first 15 days of July.A total of 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions have been designated as high-risk areas, with the highest numbers of cases continuing to be reported from the Gampaha and Colombo Districts.Dr. Samaraweera said that the ongoing dengue prevention campaign, covering 63 MOH divisions until the end of July, had received encouraging public cooperation. However, she stressed that the programme could not depend indefinitely on State institutions.“We expect the number of cases to decline soon. People are cooperating, but we cannot rely on the military, Police, and health workers to continue cleaning the environment indefinitely. Preventive action must become a permanent habit among citizens,” she said.Meanwhile, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that Wolbachia should be considered part of a long-term biological strategy rather than a nationwide standalone solution.“Globally, dengue control efforts are increasingly focusing on interventions such as Wolbachia and vaccines, with scientific evidence showing promising results. Sri Lanka has also conducted a Wolbachia pilot project, but any wider use must be carefully evaluated for its potential impact on the environmental and biological balance.“Rather than introducing it nationwide, such methods should be considered for carefully selected high-risk areas as part of a long-term national dengue-control strategy,” he told The Sunday Morning.Dr. Wijesinghe stated that newer single-dose vaccines, including the Butantan dengue vaccine, could also become part of the broader strategy. However, he noted that such vaccines were unlikely to reach Sri Lanka in the immediate future.

Dengue control: Sri Lanka to deploy Wolbachia in 2027 

The long-awaited Request for Proposal (RFP) for the expansion of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will be submitted to the Cabinet within the next month, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage told The Sunday Morning that Cabinet approval was the only remaining step before the RFP could be issued to shortlisted investors.“In order to issue the RFP, the only thing left is to present it to the Cabinet. It will be presented to the Cabinet within about a month’s time,” he said.The move is expected to revive the long-delayed refinery expansion project, which has remained stalled despite the completion of the initial procurement process, including the evaluation of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and the appointment of the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC).The multi-billion-dollar project seeks to modernise Sri Lanka’s only oil refinery in Sapugaskanda, which has been in operation since 1969, and increase its refining capacity from 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 100,000 bpd under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.The Government launched the international procurement process to attract a strategic investor capable of financing, constructing, and operating the upgraded refinery before transferring ownership back to the State at the end of the concession period.Earlier this year, the CPC completed the evaluation of EOIs submitted by prospective investors and appointed the TEC to assess the submissions. However, despite completing these preliminary stages, the project failed to progress to the RFP stage, prompting concerns over delays to one of the country’s most significant energy infrastructure investments.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the CPC has not publicly explained the reasons behind the delay, officials now say the project is ready to move into the next procurement phase once Cabinet grants approval to issue the RFP.The Sapugaskanda Refinery expansion has long been regarded as a strategic national project aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s energy security by reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products and improving the country’s refining capability.&nbsp;

Sapugaskanda Refinery: RFP to go before Cabinet next month

The Government expects to complete the procurement process for the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project by the end of next month, with contracts for most of the project’s five sub-components set to be awarded, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku told The Sunday Morning.Kodithuwakku said that the airport expansion had been divided into five sub-projects. The first contract has already been awarded to Maga Engineering, while procurement for the other four packages is currently underway.“We expect to award most of the contracts by the end of next month,” he said.“We have divided the expansion project into five sub-projects. As of now, the first project has been awarded to Maga Engineering. The remaining projects are currently in the tendering process. We are hopeful that by the end of August, we should be able to offer most of them. We are trying to finish these projects by around August of next year,” he said.The Government had previously said that it was in discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to secure additional funding after the concessional loan allocated for the long-delayed BIA expansion proved insufficient.However, Kodithuwakku stated that the BIA expansion would be paid exclusively through national/local resources, with no foreign loans or aid requested for the project, despite previous claims of projects being linked to Japanese financing.“The funding is entirely self-funded,” he noted, confirming that the Government was not seeking financing from foreign countries.The latest update comes as the Cabinet of Ministers approved awarding the first construction contract to M/s Maga Engineering Ltd. for the development of a new departure terminal facility at the BIA.&nbsp;The contract covers the construction of 36 check-in counters and six boarding gates that connect the departure terminal to aircrafts. The contract was granted following an international competitive bidding process that began after Cabinet approval in February 2025.The broader airport development is part of the Government’s long-term plan to increase the BIA’s passenger capacity to 24.2 million per year by 2055.&nbsp;During a recent meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, officials stated that the second phase of the BIA development project would include expanding the existing arrival and departure terminals, constructing a new terminal building, and carrying out depot expansion works, as well as efforts to digitalise airport services and improve transport connectivity to the airport.&nbsp;The Government has stated that the long-term expansion strategy will be finished within the next three years and is intended to accommodate aviation demand in the coming decades.

Procurement for BIA expansion project to end next month

The long-awaited Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project is ready for launch, with only a few procedural formalities remaining despite an unresolved funding gap that emerged during the procurement process, according to Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.Speaking at the inauguration of the Disha Mentorship Programme 2026 in Colombo on Thursday (16), Jha said that a formal announcement on the project would be made shortly, adding that the remaining requirements were largely procedural.“The SLUDI initiative is not merely a technology project, but a nation-building project,” Jha said. According to him, once the remaining formalities are completed, the project will be ready to move forward.When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala declined to comment further on the project’s status, stating that the ministry’s position was reflected in the High Commissioner’s remarks.The development comes despite uncertainty over the project’s financing after bids submitted by technically qualified Indian companies substantially exceeded the grant allocated by the Government of India.Following the opening of financial proposals, it was reported that the project encountered a significant budget shortfall as bids submitted by companies shortlisted to serve as the project’s Master Systems Integrator (MSI) exceeded the Indian Government’s financial assistance of INR 3 billion (approximately Rs. 10.5 billion).Five Indian companies qualified at the technical evaluation stage: Infosys Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Protean eGov Technologies Ltd., RailTel Corporation of India Ltd., and Bharat Electronics Ltd. However, the lowest evaluated bid – which also achieved the highest combined technical and financial score – amounted to INR 7 billion (approximately Rs. 24.6 billion), more than double the available grant.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite the funding challenge, Jha stressed that the digital identity platform would serve as a critical foundation for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.“When every citizen has a verified and trusted digital identity, something very fundamental changes. Social inclusion stops being a policy goal and becomes a practical reality. For Sri Lanka’s innovation economy, this is the foundational layer that makes everything else possible – fintech, e-commerce, and digital Government services,” he said.Jha also underscored the importance of continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and India as both countries navigated rapid technological developments, particularly in artificial intelligence.“No country, and certainly no single company, is figuring this out alone. The technology is moving fast enough that the only sensible response is to keep talking to each other, sharing what is working, being honest about what isn’t, and learning in the open,” he said.The SLUDI project is a flagship initiative of the Government of Sri Lanka, implemented by the Ministry of Digital Economy, to establish a secure, inclusive national digital identity system as a key component of the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).According to the ministry’s report titled ‘Digital ID Launch by 2026: A Big Step Towards a Modern Sri Lanka,’ the system will incorporate biometric authentication, including facial recognition, fingerprints, and iris scans. The biometric data will be protected using multi-layer encryption during transmission and storage.The procurement process for selecting the MSI was originally expected to conclude by the end of March. Sri Lanka has also yet to appoint a local Managed Service Provider (MSP) to support the implementation of the project.

SLUDI project ready for launch

<ul><li>Govt. committees prepare for possible water, electricity, food supply pressures</li><li>Existing budget allocations to fund initial response, with emergency financing available</li></ul>&nbsp;Sri Lanka is preparing for a very strong El Niño event between October and December, with meteorologists warning of changing rainfall patterns, higher temperatures, and possible drought and flooding, while the Government’s response remains dependent on existing budgetary allocations and periodic assessments.According to an assessment issued by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 9 July, there is an 81% probability that El Niño conditions currently intensifying in the Pacific Ocean will develop into a very strong event during the final quarter of the year.Department of Meteorology Duty Meteorologist Malith Fernando told The Sunday Morning that only three El Niño events of comparable intensity had been recorded between 1950 and 2025. He said there was also a strong likelihood that the prevailing conditions would persist into the first quarter of 2027.“Historical data on comparable El Niño events between 1950 and 2025 indicate a slight reduction in rainfall and a moderate increase in temperatures during July and August. A significant increase in rainfall may occur during October and November, followed by decreased rainfall from January to around April and a considerable rise in temperatures during March and April,” Fernando said.He explained that the same El Niño event could produce contrasting effects at different stages because it interacted differently with Sri Lanka’s southwest monsoon, northeast monsoon, and inter-monsoon wind patterns.“Therefore, decreased rainfall can be expected during July and August, followed by increased rainfall in October and November and another decline during the first quarter of 2027. Historical data support these projections,” he said.&nbsp;In June, the Government established a Special Cabinet Subcommittee and an Officials’ Committee to coordinate Sri Lanka’s national response to the anticipated El Niño conditions.The committees have been tasked with preparing short-, medium-, and long-term plans to address possible water, electricity, and food shortages, coordinating operations among relevant State agencies, and raising public awareness to minimise disaster risks.&nbsp;The ministerial subcommittee is chaired by Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi and includes Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha; Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Viddyarathna; Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka; Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe; and Housing, Construction, and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe.The Officials’ Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the President, comprises secretaries of key ministries and the Directors General of Irrigation, Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation, Meteorology, and Disaster Management.&nbsp;Representatives of the Mahaweli Authority and the heads of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), the National Disaster Relief Services Centre, and Electricity Generation Lanka Ltd. are also included.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Patabendi said that the country was expecting drier-than-usual conditions until August, followed by an extended period of increased monsoon rainfall from September.&nbsp;“However, based on the water levels recorded at our last meeting, we can manage energy generation, irrigation, and drinking water requirements even without additional rainfall,” he said.Patabendi stated that the Government was also preparing for possible floods and other disasters resulting from excessive rainfall later in the year.“We are currently working with the budgets already allocated. However, if an emergency arises, we can obtain additional funds,” he said.Addressing possible health risks, Patabendi said that high temperatures could particularly affect older people and young children. He said discussions had already begun with the Health Ministry on introducing a public awareness programme.He noted that dengue cases typically increased between May and July before declining with drier weather.“However, if a situation arises due to these El Niño-related weather changes, we are prepared to intervene through the committee,” he said.Meanwhile, Minister Ranasinghe said that the Department of Meteorology reviewed global El Niño data monthly, with the committee adjusting its local response plans accordingly. The committee is scheduled to meet every two to three weeks, with its next meeting due to be held the following Monday.According to Ranasinghe, reservoirs managed by the Irrigation Department have approximately 150,000 acre-feet of water remaining. This water can be redirected for other purposes once the current Yala cultivation season concludes, with water releases for the season scheduled to end by 15 August.“We believe the water available during July and August can be managed carefully to meet current requirements. However, temperatures may increase in certain areas. If water shortages occur, local authorities and the water supply authorities have programmes in place to intervene,” he said.

Delay hits India-backed Sampur solar project

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