The draft act sets provisions for members to be recruited to the council from the private and public sector. The council is intended to provide facilities for independent review and observation of NWRA decisions. Studies conducted in the early 1990's revealed a pressing need for a National Water Policy to implement an institutional framework and legislation to protect water. While numerous meetings with stakeholders saw the policy take three and a half years to finalise, the cabinet finally approved the National Water Policy in March this year. The new legislation setting up the National Water Resources Authority is based on this policy.
Moves are also underway to set up a water sector regulator.
Ports in the dry dock Professionals at the port have alerted the president that the Ports Authority is facing its worst financial crisis in decades. With only Rs. When the Ports Authority recently nudged the Bank of Ceylon for funds to buy dredges and extend the reach of their gantry cranes, the bank was quick to say no. The treasury was then forced to bail out this once prosperous giant with a government guarantee to enable a letter of credit to be opened. Ports Authority officials said a question hung over how payments to the tune of Rs. 475 mn for salaries and kitchen supplies would be forked out.