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Govt. proposal to ban chemical fertilisers: Environmentalists cautiously optimistic
By Ifham Nizam
Environmentalists while praising the Cabinet paper ‘Towards the Green Socio-Economic Pattern’, presented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that if what was outlined in the paper was put into practice Sri Lanka would benefit tremendously.
Centre for Environmental Justice, Executive Director Hemanatha Withanage however cautioned that the Cabinet paper should not be a mere cosmetic exercise.
Withanage stressed that he did not expect the business sector to stop the use of agro-chemicals as they were more concerned about their bottom line.
Environmentalist Ven. Pahiyangala Anandasagara Thera said that the Cabinet Memorandum was an excellent one. “We have called on all governments since 2012 to give priority to organic farming in this country. But due to the provision of free chemical fertilisers, our generation of farmers is disappearing today. It is the generation of experienced farmers in our country who are dying of kidney disease.”
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the Cabinet Memorandum had included 20 points regarding the sustainable environment and agricultural development in Sri Lanka.
“It proposes to implement organic farming instead of toxic agriculture which has led to an increase in the number of kidney and cancer patients here,” the Minister said.
He said that it was the intention of the President to implement a number of initiatives by the government for sustainable environmental development.
The government has allocated Rs. 1 billion from the last budget to provide the required organic fertilizer for organic farming. All the rivers, streams, wells and ponds in Sri Lanka today are polluted due to the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. “No matter how much water there is in our country, we cannot consume it without fear,” the minister said.
President Rajapaksa has instructed that this programme be implemented immediately. Therefore, in implementing the proposals in the Cabinet paper, decisions will be taken in consultation with all environmental organisations and knowledgeable experts.
The Minister said: “The President told us that no matter what anyone says, we will not import chemical fertilizers, again. This decision may be somewhat controversial. But in two or three years we will be able to get used to organic farming. I see the use of chemical fertilizers as an addiction.”
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Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Russian House in Colombo unveiled a plaque at the public library Colombo today (29th April) in honour of the 80th anniversary of victory day.
Victory Day is celebrated on the 9th of May, the day Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II. It is an important date in the Russian calendar and an integral part of Russian culture.
The plaque was jointly unveiled by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Lenav Dzhagaryan and Ms Maria Popova Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Director of the Russian House in Colombo
News
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
It has been recognized that the state enterprises should be re – structured and maintained with proper administration with the assistance of local or foreign investments without being a continuous burden to the General Treasury and the country’s economy. Therefore, it is the policy of the new government to introduce an efficient and accountable mechanism in the regard. An initial draft named “State Commercial Enterprises Management Draft Bill” has been already prepared to introduce a new legal framework required for maintaining after performing necessary restructuring and with proper management of government owned business companies. Thereon, it will be possible to totally free the state entrepreneurship establishments from political influences and appoint professionals with proficiency for its board of directors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to grant policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the said initial draft and appoint a special committee with the following composition to submit appropriate proposals for further enhancing after reviewing the initial draft:
• Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development – (Chairman)
• Hon. Sunil Handunneththi Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship
• Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co – operative Development
• Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Sooriyapperuma Deputy Minister of Finance Plan Implementation
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.
Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages
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