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.
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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