News
Farmers advised against using toxic pesticides as they also kill Sena caterpillar’s predators
By Ifham Nizam
Farmers in some districts are complaining that the Sena caterpillar is destroying their maize cultivation this year as well, but the Agricultural Technical Department yesterday claimed the possibility of the pest causing major damage to the maize cultivation was still low.
Anura Wijetunga, the Director (Technical) of the Ministry of Agriculture, says that currently the Sena caterpillar is found in 10-15 percent of the maize cultivation. Therefore, till the maize crop matures in about a month, the crop should be carefully taken care of.He said that chemical substances should not be used to control the Sena caterpillar damage as soon as it is seen even though it temporarily minimised the damage, it could damage the maize crop due to the destruction of the natural predators of the caterpillar.
Due to the dry weather of the past few days, the Sena caterpillar damage had increased, but with the rain, the damage is controlled, he maintained.However, according to the research conducted by the Department of Agriculture for three years now, a parasite capable of controlling the Sena Caterpillar has been identified.
The parasite called TELENOMUS REMUS grows in the natural environment. It destroys SENA caterpillar eggs and thus affects the distribution of the caterpillar.Wijetunga said that the parasite should grow along with the spread of the sena caterpillar, and further research would be conducted in this regard.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year of 2027 at their meeting held on 30.06.2026.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the Appropriation Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide an additional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board on a reimbursable basis from the Rs. 7,500 million additional allocations granted to the Ministry to implement
the expedited paddy purchasing program for the 2026 Yala harvest.
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Cabinet nod to host the 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the CPA are planned to be held over three days in Colombo during April/May 2027.
Approximately 90 delegates including speakers, Deputy Speakers, Member of Parliamentarians, and Parliamentary officers representing member countries of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in the Asian and South-East Asian regions, are expected to participate in these conferences.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to host the said conferences considering the opportunities to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation, as well as to enhance international recognition of the Parliament of Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
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