News
UNP Chairman predicts plantation sector will take years to recover from blow dealt by fertiliser ban
By Piyasena Dissanayake
Tea, rubber and coconut industries would not be able to recover from the damage done to them by the ban on chemical fertiliser for years to come, UNP Chairman and former minister Wajira Abeywardena said yesterday.
Speaking to journalists after attending a religious ceremony to mark the birth anniversaries of former President JR Jayewardene and Anagarika Dharmapala at the Parama Dhamma Chethiya Privena, Ratmalana, the former minister said the chemical fertiliser ban introduced to promote organic farming practices had dealt a severe blow to the agriculture and plantation sectors.
“The tea industry took a hit, alongside the rubber industry, followed by the coconut industry. Over 90 percent of farmers use chemical fertiliser. There are reports that 89 percent of those involved in the cultivation of tea, rubber and coconut cry for chemical fertilisers seeing the inevitable collapse of their industries. The damage inflicted on the three industries will not be erased for many years to come,” Abeywardena said.
He said that tea accounted for 10 percent of the country’s export income, and producers expressed fears that they might lose up to 50 percent of their crop production.
Asked to comment on the government’s decision to permit only two companies to import chemical fertilisers, Abeywardena said the government should withdraw that restriction and permit the free import of them. “Even if the government lifts the ban now to permit chemical fertiliser imports, the plantations have suffered losses that would remain for at least one and a half years to two years.”
He said that the government should not be ashamed to reverse its decision. “Such mistakes happen. The best option before the government is to step down from its arrogance to withdraw its ban,” Abeywardena said.
Associated with the UNP Chairman were party’s Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, former MP Saman Ratnapriya, Chairman of the UNP Buddhist Committee and UNP Maharagama organiser Attorney-at-Law Sudath Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ratmalana UNP Bala Mandalaya former Municipal Council Member Akila Rajapkshe, Secretary of the Buddhist Committee Maharagama Municipal Council member Renuka Senaratne and party supporters.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The 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, Eastern, North-western, and Western 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 below 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.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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