News
Govt. to study food consumption patterns
Launches Food Policy and Security Committee to ensure sustainable food systems
The newly formed Food Policy and Security Committee, chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha, alongside Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, held its inaugural meeting on 22 January at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division said in a release.
The committee aims to implement the government’s policy of ensuring a safe, secure, and sustainable food system for all citizens.
During the meeting, officials emphasized the critical role of accurate data in shaping informed policy decisions. The government stressed its commitment to avoiding risks by relying on reliable information, with the establishment of a robust data system identified as a top priority.
Minister Lal Kantha highlighted the need to address rice production not only for direct consumption but also for industries such as poultry, egg production, and beer manufacturing, which contribute to human consumption. He also called for studying food consumption patterns to promote healthier diets and reduce food waste.
Key discussions included the creation of a national food security policy framework, the development of strategies aligned with international standards, and plans to boost local production based on scientific evidence. The meeting also addressed food pricing, market management, and the establishment of an essential food information system.
The committee, attended by senior officials including Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, marks a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s food security and sustainability efforts.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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