News
Lanka hit by deadly African swine fever for the first time
… possibly from illegally imported pork
By Rathindra Kuruwita
African swine fever has been reported for the first time among Sri Lankan pigs, hogs, and boars, according to Dr. K.K. Sarath, Director of the Western Province Animal Production and Health Department. He noted that thousands of pigs across the country had been dying in recent weeks. Initially, officials assumed that the cause was Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).
“PRRS and African swine fever present with many similar symptoms. Since PRRS has been previously reported in Sri Lanka, we initially treated the animals for that disease, though we did not see the expected results. Reports from other parts of South Asia suggested that PRRS and African swine fever could spread concurrently among pigs, so we tested some of the deceased animals for African swine fever as well, and confirmed that a number had both diseases,” he said.
Dr. Sarath explained that fever and a loss of appetite are symptoms of both PRRS and African swine fever. However, the latter has an almost 100 percent mortality rate, unlike PRRS, which can be managed through vaccination and other methods. “There is currently no vaccine or medical means of controlling African swine fever,” he said.
As of earlier this week, African swine fever had been detected in four farms in the Western Province, located in Beruwala, Welisara, and Padukka, with additional cases reported from farms in the Uva, North Central, and North-Western provinces.
Dr. K.K. Sarath
“When pigs contract African swine fever, they carry a large viral load. The virus is present in their excreta, saliva, and other bodily fluids. Often, a farmer might not take immediate action if one or two animals die. If they leave the farm in boots or clothing that has caome into contact with these fluids, they can unknowingly spread the virus. For instance, if a lorry driver transporting animals comes into contact with the infected farmer, the virus can easily be carried from one area to another. This virus can survive at room temperature, allowing it to spread swiftly,” he explained.
The virus is only destroyed at temperatures exceeding 50°C. “Another scenario involves farmers slaughtering a pig carrying the virus but not yet showing symptoms. Meat from an infected animal, for example, could be transported from a farm in the Western Province to Anuradhapura, and the virus could spread through the meat, as it can remain viable in frozen meat for days,” he added.
According to the Director, there are approximately 70,000 pigs in the Western Province, of which around 5,000 had died by the fourth week of October. Symptoms of African swine fever appear within nine to 15 days of infection. “Pig farming is facing severe challenges. We had an export market for pork, but now we can’t export until the outbreak is under control,” he said.
Dr. Sarath stated that the first priority is to isolate infected animals. In some countries, infected animals are culled, but this would require compensation, with each pig valued at around 100,000 rupees. Thousands of people rely on pig farms for their livelihood. Consequently, pig movements and pork products are currently halted, bringing the industry to a standstill.
He also highlighted the risk of wild boars contracting the disease from infected village pigs, as these animals often come into villages in search of food. “This could lead to mutations in the virus,” he said.
Efforts are underway to investigate how African swine fever entered the country, as imports are only permitted from disease-free nations. “Legally imported meat should not have introduced the disease into the country,” he noted.
In December 2023, approximately 3,000 kilos of African swine fever-infected meat was found in cold storage in Welisara. This meat, imported without Health Department approval, was intended for the festive season. “I’m unable to confirm how the consignment was destroyed, as it falls outside my Department’s remit,” Dr. Sarath concluded.
“No shipment for 10 days; seas off western coast will become rough by April end”
Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Pubudu Jayagoda says the Indian company which secured a tender to supply coal for electricity generation this year has delivered only 13 of the 25 shipments required and no vessel has arrived in Sri Lanka for the last 10 days or so.
Jayagoda said so while addressing the media during a protest held in Colombo yesterday.
Jayagoda said the Indian company Trident Chemphar, which secured the tender to supply 25 coal shipments for 2026, had placed the country’s coal stocks at risk.
Although all 25 coal shipments are required to be unloaded before the end of April, only 13 vessels have arrived in Sri Lanka so far, according to Jayagoda. He also claimed that no shipment had arrived during the first week of March, adding that coal vessels had not arrived for about 10 days.
Jayagoda warned that the situation could endanger the country’s energy supply as the seas off the western coast usually turn rough by the end of April, disrupting unloading operations.
According to Jayagoda, a report submitted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on infrastructure and strategic development, power cuts may become necessary from August even if the country falls short of five shipments unless electricity is generated using costly diesel-powered thermal plants.
Jayagoda also alleged irregularities in the tender process, claiming that the government had changed tender specifications and delayed the tender process by about four months, possibly to allow the Indian company time to register and secure performance guarantees.
He further alleged that the coal supplied by the Indian company was substandard.
Jayagoda questioned why the tender had not been cancelled despite several shipments allegedly failing to meet quality standards and why no investigation had been launched.He asked why legal action had not been taken against the company despite supply disruptions.
The US Department of State has said that Washington respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling matters relating to the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr and its crew, according to agency reports, quoting a State Department Spokesperson. He has said the final decision regarding the vessel, its crew and the rescued Iranian sailors rests with Sri Lanka in accordance with its domestic laws and international legal obligations.
The statement follows comments by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath that Sri Lanka was looking after 32 sailors rescued from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena under Colombo’s international treaty obligations.
The frigate was sunk by a US submarine off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on Wednesday during escalating hostilities involving the United States and Iran.
Sri Lanka’s Navy conducted rescue operations, following the incident, recovering 84 bodies.
Asked whether Colombo was under US pressure not to repatriate the Iranian sailors, Herath said Sri Lanka had taken all actions in accordance with international law.
Sri Lanka also provided safe harbour to the second Iranian warship, IRIS Bushehr, and evacuated its 219 crew members a day after the Dena was torpedoed. The vessel was taken to the port of Trincomalee after reporting engine problems.
Citing an internal cable, Reuters reported that Washington had urged Sri Lanka not to repatriate the Iranian sailors. However, the State Department spokesperson reiterated that the disposition of the crew and survivors was a matter for Sri Lanka to decide, adding that the United States respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in managing the situation.
Meanwhile, India allowed a third Iranian warship, IRIS Lavan, to dock in a port on humanitarian grounds after it reported operational difficulties.
The ship docked at the port of Kochi, where many of the crew, including young cadets, were disembarked and transferred to a nearby facility.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Colombo would follow the provisions of the Hague Convention, which requires neutral states to detain combatants of warring parties until the end of hostilities.
A senior administration official said Sri Lanka was in discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the treatment of survivors from the torpedoed vessel. International humanitarian law would apply to the wounded, who could be repatriated if they requested it, the official added.
Iranian diplomats in Colombo have requested the return of the remains of sailors killed in the attack to Iran.
Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, emphasised the critical need for the Indian Ocean region to remain peaceful and not become part of any conflict, said a news report published by NDTV yesterday.
It said: As the Iran-Israel war enters its second week, the theatre of the war has expanded dramatically, reaching the waters of Sri Lanka. With the sinking of Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters off Lanka’s coast and the docking of a second Iranian vessel, IRIS Busheher, Colombo has become embroiled in a conflict where it seeks to remain only a neutral bystander.
Speaking with NDTV, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition in Sri Lanka emphasised the critical need for the Indian Ocean region to remain peaceful and not become part of any conflict.
“The Indian Ocean has on successive occasions been declared a peaceful area and should remain so,” said Premadasa.
The Sri Lankan government has said that it will attend to all survivors of the ill-fated IRIS Dena and IRIS Busheher as per international protocols and norms. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his country had a “humanitarian responsibility” to take in the crew of the vessel, which was allowed to dock at Trincomalee in Northern Sri Lanka.
Premadasa, who is the leader of the opposition party SJB, called on all parties to cease the ‘asymmetric warfare’. He cautioned that the widening conflict would have devastating consequences for smaller countries like Sri Lanka, which is still reeling from its worst economic crisis in 2022.
“The Middle East conflict is already spreading to other countries, and this is having an impact on Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan people,” Mr Premadasa told NDTV.
A third Iranian vessel that was in the Indian Ocean, IRIS Lavan, has docked at Kochi in India. India has said it was a “humanitarian call” after the vessel sent out a distress call.
SriLankan Airlines Resumes Flights to Riyadh and Dubai
Iran names Khamenei’s son as new supreme leader after father’s killing
Oil prices jump above $100 for first time in four years
Dry weather will prevail over the island
FSP warns of possible coal shortage
Repatriation of Iranian naval personnel Sri Lanka’s call: Washington
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News3 days agoUniversity of Wolverhampton confirms Ranil was officially invited
-
News4 days agoLegal experts decry move to demolish STC dining hall
-
News3 days agoFemale lawyer given 12 years RI for preparing forged deeds for Borella land
-
News2 days agoPeradeniya Uni issues alert over leopards in its premises
-
Business5 days agoCabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
-
News3 days agoLibrary crisis hits Pera university
-
News2 days agoWife raises alarm over Sallay’s detention under PTA
-
Business5 days agoWar in Middle East sends shockwaves through Sri Lanka’s export sector