By Dilini Algama
An Automatic Weather Forecasting System set up under the financial aid of Japan will come into force in six months time.
Denying various media reports that the system is malfunctioning and giving inaccurate predictions from the date of installation, Deputy Director of the Department of Meteorology S.H. Kariyawasam told The Nation that it is still being tested and will only be used for weather forecasting from January 2010.
“The machine is undergoing a verification process where its data are compared with ones obtained from classic machines, to ensure that the readings are precise and the machine is working properly,” Kariyawasam said.
He added that the machine will be used to sense atmospheric variables in the country.
When asked about the media reports that the machine has given incorrect readings since its installation on July 13, Kariyawasam was quick to deny the claims saying, “All those have been fabricated and there is no truth to them.”
The Automatic Weather Forecasting System, valued at Rs.650 million was donated by the Japanese Government.

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