News
Congress Party backed union to protest arrest of Indian fishermen by Lanka for poaching
The All Indian Fishermen Congress, a wing of the Congress party, has strongly criticized the arrest of 27 Indian fishermen and the confiscation of their boats. In response, they have called for a protest at the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai on 25 October, India’s Express newspaper reported.
Armstrong Fernando, the National chairman of this fishermen’s wing, expressed his concern saying, “The Sri Lankan navy has apprehended 137 Indian fishermen in 2023, and these numbers have surged since 2014, coinciding with the BJP’s assumption of power. Over the last five years, nearly 200 Indian boats have been seized, with the Sri Lankan government claiming ownership of nearly 140 of them. These boats are repurposed for firewood, and their parts are sold to scrap dealers in Jaffna, which has a significant impact on the livelihoods of Indian fishermen.”
Fernando explained that many fishermen unintentionally cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan waters during nighttime operations and face violence and inhumane treatment. To advocate for the release of both the fishermen and their boats, the fishermen’s association has planned a protest in front of the Sri Lankan embassy on 25 October.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
New Zealand elect to bowl first at Eden Gardens
Cabinet approves import of Maize to meet shortfall
Cabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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