News
NWSDB uses bowsers to provide water to 55,000 families
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government is distributing drinking water to 55,000 families in 52 Divisional Secretariat areas, using bowsers, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said on Thursday (17.) The NWSDB added that many areas in the southern province were facing many drinking water issues.
Wasantha Illangasinghe, General Manager of the NWSDB, said the Southern, North-Western, North-Central and Northern provinces had been adversely affected by the drought.
“Beliatta, Tangalle, Angunukolapelessa, Weeraketiya and a few other places in Southern province are the worst affected by drinking water shortages. We urge people to use the water sparingly. A person that uses piped water uses about 120 litres a day. However, only 40 litres are needed for cooking and drinking. We urge people to use alternative water sources if possible, to fulfill other needs,” she said.
Illangasinghe added that as the water levels dropped in rivers and other water sources, the quality of water also dropped.When water levels in Kelaniya and Kalu Ganga drops, seawater comes in and increases the salinity of river water, she said.
“Algae start growing in tanks when water levels drop. Sediment also gets mixed with drinking water,” she said.
The Met Department has said that there won’t be any significant rain until October.
Athula Karunanayake, Director, Meteorological Department said that there would be significant rain from October to December. There would be less rain again from December to April, he said. About 37,000 acres of paddy land had been destroyed by the drought, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
New Zealand elect to bowl first at Eden Gardens
Cabinet approves import of Maize to meet shortfall
Cabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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