• President says spl attention in 2027 Budget to rural rds development

The Engineers’ Association of the Road Development Authority (RDA) has announced that it has launched an indefinite trade union (TU) action from yesterday (21), citing two key demands including a salary anomaly issue. The Association stated that despite several rounds of discussions previously held with the authorities regarding their demands, the promises made during those talks have yet to be fulfilled, prompting the union action. The President of the RDA Engineers’ Association, Umesh Aluthapala said that RDA engineers would withdraw from participating in external committees such as District and Divisional Coordination Committees. He further stated that engineers had also decided to refrain from activities not formally assigned under the RDA Act, even if such duties are being carried out in consideration of national requirements and are not directly linked to the RDA. Aluthapala warned that the decision could lead to difficulties in project coordination activities and said that the Union would intensify its TU action if the authorities failed to provide a solution.

Spl attention in 2027 Budget 

Special attention will be given in the forthcoming Budget towards the development of rural roads, the provision of drinking water and resolving waste management issues, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. The President made these remarks while attending the Special District Coordination Committee Meeting held at the Batticaloa District Secretariat. Dissanayake instructed public representatives and community members to jointly discuss and submit a report on the water supply projects required to meet the drinking, irrigation and industrial water needs of the District. He further stated that officials, including the Chairperson of the NWSDB, would be sent to the area to hold discussions on the matter. The President also instructed officials to implement immediate temporary measures to address the drinking water issue faced by the public until the proposed large-scale projects are completed. President Dissanayake stated the Government would allocate necessary funds for all projects planned thus far by the NWSDB. The President instructed officials to commence construction work on all planned roads within this year (2026). Attention was also drawn to the long-standing request of dairy farmers concerning the Mailaththamadu–Madhavanai grazing lands. The meeting also discussed measures being taken to fully develop the Valaichchenai Harbour, which serves as a key centre for the fishing industry in the Eastern Province, including the need for a lighthouse facility.