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There will be enough water for Maha season, say agriculture and irrigation officials

Published

3 years ago

2022/09/3

By Ifham Nizam

The Department of Meteorology and the Ministry of Agriculture have predicted that the coming northeast monsoon rains will be a boon for agricultural activities Officials from Departments of Irrigation, Mahaweli, Meteorology, Agrarian Development, Agriculture etc., met recently to discuss the impact of the weather and climate factors on the success of paddy and other crops in the next season.

This discussion took place in the Ministry of Agriculture. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Secretary of the Ministry Rohana Pushpakumara and a group of Mahaweli Development Authority officials also participated.

Currently, the capacity of all reservoirs under the Mahaweli Development Authority is close to 70 percent and that the capacity of reservoirs under major irrigation and minor irrigation is also high. Therefore, the officials said that there was sufficient water to for the Maha season.Amaraweera said that steps would be taken to provide fertilizer for paddy cultivation, starting with the Ampara Gal Oya scheme in the first week of October.

He also said that it was possible to provide urea fertilizer to the farmers in the first week of November under the loan assistance of the World Bank. The amount expected to be provided by the World Bank is 110 million dollars.

He also emphasised that the government had made arrangements to provide insecticides, herbicides and other inputs needed for farming.The release of water for paddy cultivation in the Maha season would start from the Gal Oya Senanayake reservoir, and all the officials emphasised that plans had been made to release water from the start of paddy cultivation till the end of November.

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Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/30

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 29 April 2025, valid for 30 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, Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala and 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 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.

News

AKD’s fourth state visit

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.

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Sri Lanka-Pakistan bilateral defence dialogue strengthens strategic ties – MoD

Published

4 hours ago

2025/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

AVM Thuyacontha shaking hands with Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif (pic courtesy MoD)

The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.

The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.

The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.