News
Alcohol and drug watchdog raises concerns over security and economic viability of cannabis cultivation at Mirigama
The government’s plan to launch cannabis cultivation in Mirigama through seven foreign companies has drawn sharp criticism from the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC), which has raised concerns over security and economic viability.
ADIC questions how authorities can guarantee that cannabis grown under so-called “secure cultivation” will remain within restricted zones, and whether the scheme will deliver meaningful economic returns. In a statement, the watchdog has outlined eight key concerns regarding the Board of Investment (BOI) project, under which seven overseas firms have been permitted to grow cannabis for export.
ADIC has pressed for clarity on realistic production volumes, pricing, and profits in the highly competitive global cannabis market. It has also demanded evidence of an independent international feasibility study to estimate genuine foreign exchange inflows, and whether Sri Lanka could compete with established producers such as China and the Netherlands. ADIC has further argued that allowing cannabis cultivation is questionable at a time when other banned narcotics remain accessible locally. It has urged the government to reverse the decision in the public interest.
BOI sources defended the project, stressing that the entire harvest would be exported, with none used within the country. Regulations would ensure that leftover seeds, leaves, or roots after processing were destroyed, they said.
Cannabis is set to be cultivated legally for the first time in Sri Lanka on a 64-acre site in Mirigama, under full BOI supervision and with support from the Ministry of Public Security. The initiative aims to supply overseas medicinal manufacturing and research markets.
Out of 37 applications, seven foreign investors met the eligibility criteria and were granted six-month temporary licences.
Each investor must commit a minimum USD 5 million investment and lodge a USD 2 million bond with the Central Bank before operations commence.
By Chaminda Silva ✍️
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to broaden the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which was launched last year. Unlike the inaugural edition held in November 2025 that featured eight Associate teams, the second edition will comprise 10 teams, including five Test-playing nations. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November this year.
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE, which arrived in Colombo (21 May 2026) on a replenishment visit, departed the island today (22 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in compliance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.
During her brief stay in Colombo, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Antonio BUFIS called on the Commander Western Naval Area at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Catholic Council reconvenes after nine years
ICC to widen Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy
Italian Navy’s ITS GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE departs following replenishment visit
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Tennessee execution called off after failed lethal injection
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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