News
COVID-19 fallout, economic turmoil, and import disruptions impact poultry sector
Sri Lanka’s Egg Price Crisis
The genesis of recent fluctuations in egg prices can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the crisis was exacerbated by the mechanisms of the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, Zahrah Imtiaz, Managing Editor of Singapore-based media organization, Asian Agribiz, which covers the Asian animal protein industry, has said in a recent article.
COVID created chaos in the poultry sector as farmers faced significant challenges in transporting their livestock, eggs, feed, and workers. With the distribution network in disarray and fewer buyers visiting farms, prices plummeted. At one point, farmers resorted to selling eggs at roadside stalls for as low as Rs 10 each, she said in an article for Project Footnotes, a web-based multimedia organization.
“As the pandemic continued, the poultry industry began to feel its full effects. The costs of imported raw materials, such as soybeans, vaccines, and other imported inputs skyrocketed due to rising shipping expenses. Compounding this, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated, leading to a foreign exchange crisis that made imports increasingly difficult. The layer industry, which produces eggs, was slower to respond than the broiler meat sector, and the consequences became evident in 2022. By December 2022, egg prices had surged from Rs 22 per egg in January to Rs 70,” the article read.
Given below are excerpts of the article: “Several factors contributed to this dramatic increase. First, feed costs, which account for nearly 75 percent of production expenses, rose significantly. Small to medium-sized farmers, who dominate the layer industry, were hit hardest by the economic downturn and struggled to sustain their operations at such high costs. It’s estimated that over half of the egg farmers exited the industry during this period, resulting in a substantial supply shortage.
“In 2023, the industry faced another crisis: Avian Influenza (AI) was spreading rapidly in the countries where Sri Lanka imports its parent stock. These imported birds are raised locally to produce hatching eggs, then distributed to local layer farmers. Since it takes about five months for hens to mature and start laying eggs, the timing of these disruptions was critical. With the outbreak of AI globally, Sri Lanka found it challenging to replenish its stocks.
“In May 2023, the Government relaxed AI regulations to allow hatching eggs from AI-free areas, which helped inject much-needed stock into the industry. However, the long production cycle meant that it would take time for local farmers to recover. The high local egg prices at the time encouraged farmers to restart their operations.
“Amid these challenges, the previous regime imported eggs, disrupting the local market. In February 2023, for the first time, Sri Lanka opened its doors to egg imports from India, initially allowing them only for the bakery and hotel sectors under strict guidelines. This move was risky, as India had frequent AI outbreaks that could have potentially threatened Sri Lanka’s poultry industry, which had thus far remained free from the disease. Most layer farmers in Sri Lanka have small to medium farms, with open-cages.
“As imports began to flow and expanded to the retail market, they brought lower prices due to India’s cheaper production costs. However, the imported eggs were smaller than the larger, brown eggs that Sri Lankans typically prefer, and issues with cold chain transportation raised concerns about spoilage.
“The unpredictable nature of these imports introduced volatility in the local egg market, making it difficult for farmers to plan their production cycles amid sudden influxes of imported eggs.
“Fortunately, global feed prices began to stabilise by late last year, and shipping costs decreased. Feed prices have been more manageable this year, and production has steadily increased. By April, the Government declared that local production had become sufficient, halting imports. However, demand dropped in August, leading to a surplus and subsequent price crash.
“The primary concern for farmers at this stage is whether the revenue from egg sales will cover their feed and rearing costs. As the festive season approaches in November, demand is expected to rise again, but many farmers are not expecting much.
There were still a lot of eggs in the market, enough for the country’s daily consumption of seven million eggs. A lot of farmers are hoping current prices would hold, cautiously optimistic about how this eventful year will end.”
News
Joint programme between President’s Fund and Janashakthi Foundation to expand healthcare facilities for children
A special collaboration between the Presidents’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation, aimed at expanding healthcare facilities available to children under the age of 18, was launched on Wednesday (06) morning.
Implemented under the theme “Building a Healthier Today for a Winning Tomorrow”, this national initiative has been introduced through the joint efforts of the President’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation with the objective of reducing the financial barriers associated with children’s healthcare.
Under the President’s Fund, only a portion of the medical expenses incurred by a patient is generally covered. However, under this new collaboration, the Janashakthi Foundation will provide either an equivalent amount or the remaining balance of the treatment cost, whichever is lower.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, stated that the present Government had taken steps to decentralise and digitalise the operations of the President’s Fund, thereby transforming it into a truly people-centric fund. He noted that this had reinforced public confidence in the Fund’s transparency, accountability and effectiveness and added that the collaboration with the Janashakthi Foundation had further strengthened this process.
Gamage further stated that close and meaningful coordination with the private sector would help enhance healthcare assistance provided to children and minimise the gap between the financial aid available and the actual cost of essential medical treatment.
Also addressing the gathering, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Janashakthi Group, Ramesh Schaffter, stated that difficulties in accessing medical treatment constitute a major obstacle preventing children from progressing towards a better future.
He further stated that the collaboration seeks to reduce that obstacle by extending support to children who are in urgent need of assistance, thereby laying the foundation for future generations to face tomorrow with greater confidence.
Under this programme, applicants seeking additional financial assistance are required, when applying to the President’s Fund, to duly complete and submit a consent form authorising the secure sharing of their information with the Janashakthi Foundation.
The identification of children requiring financial assistance, verification of their information and approval of funds will continue to be carried out by the President’s Fund.
Under this initiative, payments will generally be made to the guardians of children following the completion of treatment. However, in cases involving emergency treatment and treatment conducted overseas, payments will be made in advance.
Applicants submitting medical assistance applications to the President’s Fund from 15 May 2026 onwards will be eligible to apply for additional funding from the Janashakthi Foundation.
The event, held at the Hilton Colombo, was attended by J.M. Wijebandara, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat and Advisor to the President (Legal Affairs); C.T.A. Schaffter, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Janashakthi Group; Gamika De Silva, Group Chief Marketing Officer; Dilshan Wirasekara, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Janashakthi Group; as well as officials of the President’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation.
President’s Media Division (PMD)
The President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, departed Sri Lanka on Wednesday morning (06) from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, concluding a successful state visit to the country.
The visit by the Maldivian President and his delegation further strengthened the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, while delivering a range of mutual benefits to the peoples of both nations.
This marked President Muizzu’s first state visit to Sri Lanka, during which several mutually beneficial areas of cooperation were agreed upon, underscoring the success of the visit.
Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports , Sunil Kumara Gamage, Member of Parliament Oshani Umanga, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present at the airport to bid farewell to the Maldivian President, the First Lady and the accompanying delegation.
(President’s Media Division)
Close on the heels of the USD 2.5 mn theft from the Treasury, the Welfare Benefits Board has reported payment of nearly Rs 500 mn in excess to Aswesuma beneficiaries.
Public action group ‘Free Lawyers’ has raised the latest fiasco to come to light with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, while requesting that the Parliament, in line with its constitutional obligations, initiate an inquiry.
The letter, dated 06 May, signed by Maithree Gunaratne, PC, Attorney-at-Law Athula de Silva, and Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, has alleged that some of the Aswesuma beneficiaries have been paid twice while others received the additional/extra payment.
Responding to The Island queries, Tennakoon said that sheer negligence on the part of those responsible for public finance was shocking.
Alleging that the NPP government seemed to be operating outside basic rules and regulations pertaining to public finances, the former Governor asked the Speaker whether the wrongful Aswesuma payments had been made due to political appointments made at the expense of the experienced and competent staff. (SF)
Joint programme between President’s Fund and Janashakthi Foundation to expand healthcare facilities for children
Maldivian President concludes state visit to Sri Lanka
India to host Zimbabwe for maiden women’s bilateral series
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern and North-central provinces
Govt. draws flak over Rs. 500 mn excess Aswesuma payments
NDB fraud: Ravi asks govt. to appoint independent forensic auditor
‘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
-
News2 days agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
News7 days ago“Three-in-one blood pressure pill can significantly reduce risk of recurrent strokes”
-
News3 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News6 days agoAlarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm
-
News4 days agoEaster Sunday Case: Ex-SIS Chief concealed intel, former Defence Secy tells court
-
News5 days agoTen corruption cases set for court in May, verdict ordered in one case – President
-
News6 days agoUSD 2.5 mn fraud probe: Interdicted MoF official found dead at home
-
Editorial3 days agoDeliver or perish