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Rajanganaya sour plantain growers earn USD 28,000 from exports in six months

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Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera dicusses the latest venture with an official, while parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake looks on

By Ifham Nizam

The Rajanganaya Ambul Kesel (Sour Plantain) Plantation has earned USD 28,000 by exporting their produce in the first six months of this year.

Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday said that the Project, which is being implemented under the Agricultural Sector Modernization Project (ASMP), established to modernize Sri Lanka’s agriculture under World Bank assistance, was a huge success.

This cultivation has been established, targeting the international markets, and the project has also provided scientific and technical training to farmers in all aspects; harvesting, packaging, etc., according to international standards.

This plantation supplies 152,264 kilos of high quality sour plantains to the local market annually. It also supplies several foreign countries, and one metric tonne is sold at prices between USD 600-700, according to Project Director Rohan Wijekoon.

At present, 642 farmers, in Rajanganaya, have been selected for this cultivation and 160 have already started cultivation. The objective of this project is to engage all selected farmers to undertake sour plantain cultivation.

“It is difficult for the farmers to get income due to the traditional framework of agriculture, the Minister said. However, he said the ability of farmers to get high income, even with limited space, by using modern technology and new seeds, is clearly evident through the Rajanganaya Ambul Kesel Project, he added.

Minister Amaraweera recently visited Rajanganaya to review the progress of the project. SLPP MP Duminda Dissanayake and Project Director Dr. Rohan Wijekoon also participated in the event.



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Heat Index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 08 May 2026, valid for 09 May 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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SLPP expresses concern over death of former SriLankan CEO

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, yesterday raised serious concerns over the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, questioning whether the incident was a suicide, murder, or a case of being compelled to take his own life.

Addressing the media, Kariyawasam claimed that Chandrasena had recently become a controversial figure after allegedly submitting an affidavit to court detailing threats made against him.

According to Kariyawasam, the affidavit stated that Chandrasena had been taken to the office of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), where he was allegedly threatened by its Director General, Ranga Dissanayake.

Kariyawasam alleged that Chandrasena had claimed he was warned to comply with certain demands or face consequences similar to those experienced by another individual, linked to a case involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

He also claimed that Chandrasena’s affidavit referred to alleged attempts to implicate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa in legal proceedings.

Kariyawasam questioned how Chandrasena, who had reportedly been in remand custody, was able to secure two bail guarantors, and called for an immediate investigation into who introduced the guarantors and whether any prison or CIABOC officials had been involved.

He urged the courts to examine CCTV footage and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the provision of the guarantors.

Claiming that public suspicion surrounding the death was growing, Kariyawasam said the incident could not be dismissed as a straightforward suicide.

He alleged that several recent incidents involving complainants and suspects had raised broader concerns over the rule of law and the protection of suspects’ rights in the country.

Calling for an independent investigation, Kariyawasam urged authorities to disclose the truth to the public, stressing that even suspects are entitled to legal safeguards and protections in a democratic society.

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SC orders fresh notice on Gotabaya in compensation case

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The Supreme Court yesterday directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition.

The petition had been filed seeking an order to recover compensation funds allegedly paid unlawfully to former Ministers and Members of Parliament whose houses were set on fire or damaged during the countrywide violence that erupted following the purported attack on the “Aragalaya” protest site on May 9, 2022.

The Supreme Court issued this order during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights petition, which was filed seeking a declaration that the payment of such compensation was unlawful.

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