News

Lankan fish exports exceed imports by USD 110 mn in first seven months of 2021

Published

2 years ago

2021/10/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

A section of the recipients of financial grants at the Kamburupitiya event

Text and pix by PRIYAN DE SILVA

Revenue from seafood exports had exceeded the cost of seafood imports by over 110 million US dollars during the first seven months of 2021 the State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish & Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multiday Fishing Activities and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera said on Sunday.

The Minister said that 99% of the annual requirement of dried sprats was imported and in 2020 over Rs. 31 million rupees had been spent to import dried sprats alone

Wijesekera said so, addressing the 261 entrepreneurs in the Matara district engaged in 11 related industries to ornamental fish breeding, inland fish breeding and the fish food manufacturing industry who were provided with financial grants at a ceremony held at Kamburupitiya.

New entrants to the industry received a grant of 100,000 rupees while those already engaged in the enterprise received grants of 250,000 rupees each. The Minister said that the government had allocated Rs. 565 million which would be disbursed among over 3000 entrepreneurs in the sector.

Wijesekera said that a person who had the basic infrastructure such as land and water resources, could earn Rs. 17.500 a month on an initial investment of Rs. 100,000. He said that state banks had been instructed to provide loans on concessional terms to those who wished to expand their enterprises.

Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Mass Media Dullas Alahapperuma, representatives of local government institutions and ministry officials attended the ceremony.

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Galagodaatte Gnanasara thera sentenced to four-year-rigorous imprisonment

Published

5 hours ago

2024/03/28

Priyan

(Pic by Dharmasena Welipitiya)

The Colombo High Court today (28) sentenced General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Galagodaatte Gnanasara thera to four-year-rigorous imprisonment for making defamatory statements about Islam eight years ago.

News

President commends victorious National Football Team

Published

9 hours ago

2024/03/28

Priyan

As a symbolic gesture of honour, FFSL President Jaswar Umar presented President Ranil Wickremesinghe with a customized National Football Jersey.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the victorious Sri Lankan National Football Team on Tuesday (26) at the Presidential Secretariat. He commended the team’s efforts in their recent triumph over Bhutan, marking the first win in a decade.

The President expressed his support for the football team’s aspiration to claim the South Asian Championship (SAFF) next year, pledging his commitment to advancing football infrastructure in the near future. Football’s popularity has surged in Sri Lanka in recent months, with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) assembling a formidable national team comprising talented players of Sri Lankan descent from various professional leagues worldwide. Sri Lanka’s national team secured victory against Bhutan in the recently concluded FIFA Series 2024.

During the visit, FFSL President Jaswar Umar, Head Coach Andy Morrison, and the entire national team had the opportunity to meet with the President and pose for photographs.

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Heat Index at ‘Caution’ level in Western, North-western and North-Central provinces and Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Galle districts

Published

16 hours ago

2024/03/28

Priyan

Heat Index advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre At 4.00 p.m. 27 March 2024, valid for 28 March 2024

The Natural hazards Early Warning Centre has warned that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, North-western and North-Central provinces and Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Galle districts.

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