News
Lankan Agriculture at crossroads?
By Lasitha Duminda
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa undoubtedly would leave a legacy behind three critical decisions he has made.
• Rapid Vaccination carried out and ongoing with one of the world’s best percentage of population covered (As of Oct 6, fully vaccinated is 54.6% and at least one dose is 66.7%) is one.
• Renewable energy drive currently underway to generate as much as 70% of the nation’s power requirement from renewable sources which is another revolution making Sri Lanka a catalyst towards a greener world and putting the name of our country on top of the list of most countries if not all.
• Carbonic agriculture is the third bold initiative taken amidst all odds gaining lot of global praise for the President and Sri Lanka.
There were lot of quarters who wanted to sabotage all above ground breaking initiatives spending lot of time and effort to discredit Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime. It is not a secret that the opposition is not coming simply from the opposition. Currently the one that is at the biggest risk is converting Sri Lanka to organic farming that would pave the way for a healthier nation void of lot of diseases such as chronic kidney complications and cancer.
The threat seems to be not coming only from the chemical fertilizer associated mafia so to say. The amount of negative publicity given in media and the amount of people involved in the sabotage mission clearly suggests that it has become more or less a geopolitical operation.
The Chinese samples are getting rejected leaving lot of gaps in the credibility aspect of such reports to a level the matter getting referred to even the criminal investigation department.
Surprisingly, these reports reach media even before they are ready. Ironically so many different labs both in Sri Lanka and overseas report contradictory results. Sri Lankan authorities that claim the presence of certain harmful bacteria, are not willing to get the legitimate samples attested by independent international laboratories.
Yet another interesting point is the absence of any kind of intervention by the Chinese Diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka letting the people to believe that it is the Chinese that are behind the contamination of fertilizer.
India on the other hand, emerged all of a sudden short circuiting the available procurement process and becoming the favorites of the agencies responsible for the application of organic fertilizer with no knowledge of the public as to how Indian companies entered the procurement process while the contract between the Chinese supplier and the government is still valid.
Public has the right to know as to who is playing what? Who wants to discredit the President and fail him? Is it only the people in the frontline or have they become a cat’s paw for someone else? If so, who is it actually behind this game changer?
If Chinese are innocent, why are they not coming forward to prove their innocence or is someone deliberately blocking that process?
Mr. President, this is worth of your immediate attention as it is the food security of Sri Lanka is at compromise otherwise with the ‘Maha’ season approaching within a matter of few weeks.
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka squad named for ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup
Hospital CCTV helps clear long jumper of doping
Tickner and Rae bowl West Indies out for 205 to give New Zealand the edge
‘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
-
News3 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News7 days agoLevel III landslide early warning continue to be in force in the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale
-
Business5 days agoLOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
-
News5 days agoCPC delegation meets JVP for talks on disaster response
-
News2 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
News5 days agoA 6th Year Accolade: The Eternal Opulence of My Fair Lady
-
News3 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features24 hours agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight