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Lanka’s poultry industry emerges as regional model, recognized by US Soybean Export Council for sustainable practices
BY Rathindra Kuruwita
The poultry industry in Sri Lanka is a model for other countries in the region, senior officials of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) recently said in an event in Dubai.Jim Sutter, Chief Executive Officer of USSEC, said that he has always viewed Sri Lanka as a small but highly progressive country compared to its peers in the region.
Sutter highlighted that the Sri Lankan poultry industry has implemented processes and mechanisms ensuring a high level of hygiene, leaving Sri Lankan consumers with no doubts about the quality of the products they purchase.
“I have seen great shops in Sri Lanka where poultry is marketed in a very professional way. If that can be replicated in other countries in the region, it will give consumers confidence that the food is safe,” he said.
He said that USSEC is a key stakeholder representing U.S. soybean producers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations and that they have been working with partners from South Asia for years.
Sutter said USSEC currently works extensively with Sri Lanka’s poultry industry, and their recent efforts involve encouraging major poultry producers to adopt the “Sustainable U.S. Soy” label. In a ceremony in Dubai in December 2023, almost all key players in the Sri Lankan poultry industry signed an agreement allowing them to use the “Sustainable U.S. Soy” label on their packaging.
This label is granted to customers who verify the sustainability of their soybean purchases using the U.S. Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). The SSAP acts as a trusted third-party verification that soybeans meet defined sustainability standards, allowing businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sourcing sustainable soybeans.
“Sri Lanka is a model perhaps for what other countries in the region, particularly India, could look like 10-15 years from now,” he said.
Stan Born, chairman of the board of USSEC, said the organization does bespoke things with each market so they can align with what each country needs. “Sri Lanka has a young progressive population and they are looking to do things differently,” he said.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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