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
Latest News
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that information uncovered during ongoing investigations indicated that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sara Jasmine, linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was not dead.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman, the Minister said there was no confirmation that Sara Jasmine was currently in India, despite speculation to that effect. He added that investigators suspected she may have fled the country and stressed that further inquiries were underway to establish her whereabouts.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant,” Wijepala said, noting that legal action related to the Easter attacks had already been initiated, based on available evidence.
Minister Wijepala said the new government had launched an thorough probe to determine whether a political or other conspiracy had been behind the attacks that killed more than 270 people in 2019. However, he declined to disclose certain details in Parliament, citing the risk of hampering investigations.
Sara Jasmine, Mohammed Hashtun, who bombed St. Sebastian’s Church, in Katuwapitiya, in 2019, was long presumed to have died in a suicide blast in Sainthamaruthu, days after the attacks. Wijepala said attempts by previous administrations to establish her death had failed, with recent reports indicating that DNA tests conducted at the time were inconclusive.
During the debate, MP Rahuman recalled that senior figures, including then-Opposition MP Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously claimed Sara Jasmine was in India. He questioned why authorities had not sought an open warrant for her arrest whether the issue had been raised in talks with Indian officials.
Wijepala, responding on behalf of Deputy Minister of Defence Arun Jayasekara, said the government would not hesitate to pursue legal action, including warrants, if necessary.
By Saman Indrajith
The Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07). On arrival, the COAS was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.
The Indian HC said that: “He will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary; and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security.
During the visit, the COAS will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.
General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the IPKF War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.”
General Dwivedi arrived here from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he attended several events during 05 to 06 January.
It’s 4-1 to Australia after Carey and Green complete stuttering chase at SCG
US seizes two ‘shadow fleet’ tankers linked to Venezuelan oil
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
Easter Sunday attacks: Govt. says wife of Katuwapitiya Church bomber alive
Indian Army Chief here
Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera
‘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
-
News2 days agoInterception of SL fishing craft by Seychelles: Trawler owners demand international investigation
-
News2 days agoBroad support emerges for Faiszer’s sweeping proposals on long- delayed divorce and personal law reforms
-
News3 days agoPrivate airline crew member nabbed with contraband gold
-
News1 day agoPrez seeks Harsha’s help to address CC’s concerns over appointment of AG
-
News1 day agoGovt. exploring possibility of converting EPF benefits into private sector pensions
-
News5 days agoHealth Minister sends letter of demand for one billion rupees in damages
-
Features2 days agoEducational reforms under the NPP government
-
Features3 days agoPharmaceuticals, deaths, and work ethics