News
Experts frown on govt. move to release rice stocks during harvesting period
By Nimal Gunathilake
Agricultural experts have expressed concern about the government’s decision to release rice stocks purchased and stored at lower prices to the market as such action could lead to a significant drop in rice prices during the 2024/25 Maha harvesting season.
Professor Buddhi Marambe, from the Department of Crop Science at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, has criticised the move, noting the government’s earlier claims that previous administrations had failed to store even a grain of rice. He expressed surprise that tenders had been called to sell 119,000 metric tonnes of Keeri Samba rice under such circumstances.
Prof. Marambe has warned that the release of rice at reduced prices will allow mill owners, traders, intermediaries to suppress rice prices during the Maha season. He has pointed out that the extent of damage to rice cultivation caused by heavy rains and flooding has not been fully assessed.
Professor Marambe has highlighted that an accurate evaluation of the damage to rice cultivation is still pending, but it is estimated that at least 50,000 hectares of farmland have been affected. As a result, he projected that Sri Lanka could lose between 250,000 and 360,000 metric tonnes of rice.
The government has acknowledged a rice shortage and imported over 170,000 metric tonnes of rice through public and private sector collaboration. However, a solution to the scarcity of Rathu Kekulu rice has yet to be identified.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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