News

Top Navy officer retires

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rear Admiral Wijesiriwardane (left) shaking hands with VA Ulugetenne

Commanded Fast Attack Flotilla during conflict

Rear Admiral Asoka Wijesiriwardane retired from naval service yesterday (05th November 2021).

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne flanked by the Board of Management extended warm wishes to the retiring naval officer.

Rear Admiral Asoka Wijesiriwardane was accorded a Guard of Honour in accordance with naval traditions before fellow naval officers made their formal farewells to the outgoing senior officer. He was sent off in a motorcade through the portals of the Navy Headquarters.

Having joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 18th intake in 1988, Rear Admiral Asoka Wijesiriwardane rendered a prominent service to the Navy, commanding a number of ships, establishments and the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) of the Navy during his illustrious career. Besides, he also served in the appointments of Acting Provost Marshal, Acting Naval Officer in Charge Poonewa and Commandant SLNS Shiksha, Naval Officer in Charge and Port Facility Security Officer Hambantota and Director Naval Inspectorate as well.

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News

Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.

News

Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]

News

Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.

Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.

Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.