The National Water Supplies and Drainage Board Chairman, Karunasena Hettiarachchi decided not to revise water tariff at this juncture. Higher Education Minister, S.B. Dissanayaka assured that more benefits will be granted to students.

Fuel subsidy for fishermen

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister -Dr. Rajitha Senaratna

Q: A number of relief measures were announced for the fishing community affected by the oil price hike. Would you explain what these concessions are?

A: A monthly fuel subsidy of Rs.30,000 will be given for every multi-duty fishing trawler and a subsidy of Rs.18,000 will be given to fishing boats. Fishermen having kerosene-driven boats will also receive this subsidy. A litre of kerosene at Rs.81 will be provided to kerosene-driven boats.

A subsidy of Rs.12 for a litre of diesel will be granted for one-day and multi-duty fishing boats.

Waste should be minimized

National Water Supply and Drainage Board - NWSDB - Chairman Karunasena Hettiarachchi

Q: Speculation is rife in certain quarters of a price revision being implemented for water as well. Is it true?

A: We are analysing the situation carefully. We have decided not to revise water rates immediately. We should not pass the burden on to the people. Efficiency should be improved and wastage minimised to cushion the burden on the masses.

Free education should be meaningful

Higher Education Minister -S.B. Dissanayaka

Q: Some University students had led a tirade against you that you were against free education. Is it true?

A: The free education system should be made more meaningful. Students failing to gain admission to State Universities would be given the opportunity to enter private Universities.

Although over 100,000 GCE Advance Level students qualiFy to enter state universities, facilities are available only for 25,000.