News

Sajith flays govt. for broken promises

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/4

Sajith

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on Sunday (02) demanded that the NPP government address issues faced by farmers.

“The government must end its theatrics and fulfill its promise of ensuring a fair price for paddy. During the elections, the President pledged to eliminate the rice mafia and guarantee higher prices for farmers. However, these commitments have proven to be empty words,” he has said in a media statement.

In just one month, the government, represented by NPP had misled farmers multiple times with shifting justifications, Premadasa said. The actions of Minister of Agriculture Lal Kantha and Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne regarding the Maha season paddy harvest clearly demonstrated their failure to ensure a just price for farmers, he added.

“Initially, Deputy Minister Karunaratne assured farmers that a guaranteed price would be set, adding 30% to the production cost. However, on January 11, 2025, he backtracked, saying only a minimum price would be provided. By January 27, he claimed that no price had been set because farmers were supposedly able to sell their paddy without issue.

“Meanwhile, middlemen are exploiting farmers, purchasing wet paddy at Rs. 80-95 per kilo and dry paddy at around Rs. 100. Large-scale mill owners are buying these stocks at higher prices—Rs. 110 for wet paddy, Rs. 135 for dry paddy, Rs. 115 for wet Samba, and Rs. 140 for dry Samba. The absence of a government-set price has allowed this exploitation to continue unchecked.

“Adding to this injustice, both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Agriculture have made threatening statements against farmers. On January 28, Deputy Minister Karunaratne dismissed demands for a fair price, contradicting his earlier stance. The following day, Minister Lal Kantha went further, suggesting that farmers should surrender a portion of their harvest to the government in exchange for fertiliser subsidies.

“The government’s strategy is now evident. Farmers, fearing these threats and lacking storage facilities, are being forced to sell their paddy to middlemen at low prices. Later, the government will set a minimum price—once most farmers have already sold their harvest—allowing officials to claim they offered a fair rate, while in reality, farmers will have no stocks left to benefit from it.

“This deception is already being promoted through pro-government farmer groups on social media, falsely suggesting that farmers are willingly selling to private buyers instead of the government. Meanwhile, the government is using this opportunity to let large-scale mill owners buy paddy at low prices while pretending to have allocated funds for paddy purchases—only to ultimately save Rs. 5 billion at the farmers’ expense.

“The farming community, which feeds the nation, is being betrayed and driven into hardship. We, the opposition, demand that the government immediately provide a fair price of Rs. 140 per kilo, as requested by farmers, in line with the 30% production cost increase promised during the election.

“Furthermore, we urge the government to stop this deceit and establish a mechanism where the state competes with the private sector in purchasing paddy, as promised by the President. Lastly, we call for the immediate fulfillment of the promised additional Rs. 2 per kilo.”

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Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 19 April 2026, valid for 20 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

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 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.