News
Market glut relief: Cargills aids Villachchiya pumpkin growers
For generations, pumpkin farmers in Villachchiya, and surrounding regions, have relied on seasonal harvests to sustain their livelihoods. However, this year, an unusually abundant yield has triggered a crisis. With local markets flooded, prices have plummeted, leaving farmers unable to cover even basic production costs. The additional expense of transporting surplus produce to major markets, like Dambulla, has rendered profitability impossible.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC – a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s retail and agribusiness sector – swiftly intervened to provide critical relief.
In a direct response to broader calls for private-sector collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges, the company mobilised its resources, visited Villachchiya and bought the excess pumpkin harvest at premium prices, unaffected by the depressed local market rates.
And then, leveraging its integrated logistics network, Cargills transported the produce efficiently, maintaining freshness and minimising waste. By linking farmers directly to its nationwide network of over 546 Food City outlets, the company created immediate market access that would otherwise remain out of reach for small-scale growers.
A Cargills PLC spokesman, at Villachchiya, confirmed the company has begun purchasing surplus pumpkins from local farmers, with the initiative expected to continue for several days. The spokesman encouraged customers to support this solidarity effort by choosing pumpkin at Cargills Food City outlets, emphasising that each purchase directly benefits struggling farming communities.
Cargills’ intervention thus underscores the growing role of private enterprises in complementing national efforts, to strengthen agricultural resilience of farmer communities.
Their proactive approach aligns with the government’s need for socio-economic solutions that bridge gaps in the supply chain, demonstrating how private sector organisations, like Cargills, can integrate social economy principles into their core operations.
This initiative is no exception to Cargills’ longstanding commitment to Sri Lanka’s farming communities. Through its farmer-centric programmes, the company has provided training, financial support, and guaranteed markets under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) framework, enabling countless farmers to transition from subsistence to sustainable, commercial-scale agriculture.
While alleviating the current crisis, Cargills continues to invest in systemic solutions, including:
Expanding rural collection centres to reduce post-harvest losses
Promoting modern farming techniques to enhance productivity
Facilitating access to low-interest loans through partnerships with financial institutions
Cargills’ decisive intervention has provided Villachchiya’s pumpkin farmers with both an immediate lifeline and proof of ethical capitalism’s transformative power.
This initiative demonstrates how responsible corporate leadership can uplift entire communities while directly supporting national priorities – enabling sustainable agricultural livelihoods and building resilient safety nets from the grassroots up.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
News
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December] at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.
The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.
The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.
The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.
[Prime minister’s media division]
News
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.
Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
-
News7 days ago
Lunuwila tragedy not caused by those videoing Bell 212: SLAF
-
News2 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News5 days agoLevel III landslide early warning continue to be in force in the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale
-
Business4 days agoLOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
-
News4 days agoCPC delegation meets JVP for talks on disaster response
-
News4 days agoA 6th Year Accolade: The Eternal Opulence of My Fair Lady
-
News2 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Midweek Review7 days agoHouse erupts over Met Chief’s 12 Nov unheeded warning about cyclone Ditwah
