With the objective of improving the productivity of paddy cultivation, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the agricultural sector was entered into on 2025-05-05 between the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka and the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Under the afore Memorandum of Understanding, both parties have agreed to implement a project titled “Joint Exchange of Genetic Resources and Development of High-Yielding and Salinity-resilient Rice Varieties through Hybridization between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.”

The activities proposed to be carried out under the said project include the exchange of germplasm materials of rice varieties between the two countries, the conduct of joint breeding and hybridization programmes, the evaluation and selection of advanced breeding lines under local conditions, the establishment of field trials, the training of research officers, and the exchange of knowledge.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for the implementation of the proposed project

The National Building Research Institute [NBRI] has extended the landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura until 1600 hrs on Tuesday 27th May 2026.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ayagama, Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura and Kuruwita in the Ranapura district and

The LEVEL I [YELLOW]  landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mathugama and Bulathsinghala in the Kalutara district, Deraniyagala, Yatiyanthota, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Bulathkohupitiya un the Kegalle district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla, Kiriella and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district have been extended.

A meeting between Upcountry Hindu Priests and the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, was held this morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, discussions focused on several common issues and challenges faced by Upcountry Hindu priests over several decades. The Secretary to the President stated that the necessary intervention would be made to provide systematic solutions to those issues.

It was also decided to hold discussions once every two or three months regarding these matters. Discussions were also held on the Government’s programme aimed at addressing the needs of the people in the upcountry areas and the Hindu religious leaders expressed their gratitude to the Government for providing them with an opportunity to voice their concerns.

Among those present at the meeting were Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Up-Country Hindu Priests’ Association, Dr. Shiva Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, together with several Hindu priests, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, Y. Aniruddhan and several others.

(PMD)