News
Multi-function weeding machines free of charge to 5000 maize growers
By Ifham Nizam
The Small Scale Agribusiness Participation Programme – SAPP -under the Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday took steps to provide free Multi-function Weeding machines to 5000 maize growers in the Polonnaruwa, Moneragala and Badulla districts.
A Ministry spokesman said that Rs. 418 million has been allocated for this project.
“These multi-purpose machines were offered to reduce the cost of weeding, water pumping, and soil turning, in maize cultivation,” the official added.
Gifting of these multi-purpose tools to the farmers was done yesterday (08) at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of State for Rural Affairs Kader Mastan, Secretary of the Ministry Gunadasa Samarasinghe and Director of SAPP Project Dr. Yasantha Mapatuna, participated in the event.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that a programme has been implemented to introduce modern technical equipment to the farmers to reduce their production costs.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has approved all the Cabinet Papers, presented, for improving the facilities of the farmers and that a large amount of money has been allocated to uplift the country’s agriculture in the current year, he said.
The Minister added: “We will reach self-sufficiency in rice this year. There is no need to import rice again to this country. Also, we can be self-sufficient with many crops, such as Cowpea, Green Gram, Sesame Seeds, Black Gram, and ground nuts.
Minister Amaraweera also said that they are producing 25 percent of the chilies needed this year.
The National People’s Power (NPP) polled 2,260 votes (46.18%) to secure 9 of the 19 seats in the Tangalla Urban Council at todays. Local Authorities Election.
THe Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJ) polled 1,397 votes to secure five seats while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) polled 795 votes to secure 3 seats.
The United National Party (UNP) and the Sarvajana Balaya secure one seat each.
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
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