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Senior administrators predict shortage of locally produced rice

Published

3 years ago

2022/04/20

Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA

The Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA) has warned that there will be a severe shortage of locally produced rice during the next two cultivation seasons. The revelation was made by the Association’s Deputy President, Ranjith Ariyarathna, while presenting the SLASA’s proposals for economic and social resurgence of the nation at the Mahaweli Centre auditorium on Monday (18).

The Sri Lanka Administrative Service is made up of officials in the top echelons of Sri Lanka’s Public Service. As a union, the SLASA is capable of minimising corruption and bringing any corrupt government to its proper senses, it has claimed.

The SLASA believes that wrong economic, and financial policies and a number of administrative lapses are the root cause of the present crisis in Sri Lanka.

Ariyarathna pointed out that what the intellectuals proposed was a green agriculture policy but what the lawmakers stubbornly implemented was organic agriculture!

Ariyarathna pointed out that the annual consumption of rice per year in Sri Lanka was 240,000 MT but due to the government’s decision to ban the import of chemical fertiliser and pesticides there had been a 50% drop in production and in addition due to the losses suffered in the previous cultivation seasons the extent of land which would be cultivated with paddy would be around 50% to 60% of the arable land.

At current market price it would cost 250 million USD to import rice to meet the shortfall in the supply of it, Ariyaratne said, quoting figures obtained from the National Fertiliser Secretariat the nation’s annual requirement of chemical fertilisers were 545,983 tonnes of Urea, 163,928 tonnes of TSP and 317,743 tonnes of MOP.

The average cost of importing the above in the past was Rs. 55 billion and would be much more now, the association said.

The SLASA has come up with short, medium and long term proposals, which, if implemented, would help put Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector back to normal by 2030. The short term measures would be implemented from 1st May 2022 to 31 December 2022 while the medium term proposals would be implemented in 2023 and 2024 and the long term proposals from 2025 to 2030.

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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala, and Hambantota districts

Published

46 mins ago

2025/04/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 22 April 2025, valid for 23 April 2025.

The General public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota districts.

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 table below 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.

News

Fulfill our civic responsibility for a Cleaner Sri Lanka – An appeal to devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Published

53 mins ago

2025/04/23

Priyan

The Clean Sri Lanka programme respectfully urges all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) for the veneration of the sacred relics, to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the temple premises.

Visitors are kindly reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas.

As a flagship government programme, Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, social and ethical consciousness, striving to uplift the nation towards a cleaner and more responsible society.

This programme places special emphasis on creating a waste-free environment and encouraging proper waste management practices.

In alignment with the commencement of the Siri Dalada Dekma (Sacred Relic exposition), a series of activities under the Clean Sri Lanka programme have been launched around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to support this cause

[PMD]