News
26 million kilo increase in tea output last year despite fertiliser crisis
The total output of tea plantations had increased in 2021, compared to 2020, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said at the opening of a multi-purpose building at the Batahena Dharmagaveshi Temple.
“Tea harvest in the year 2020 was 279 million kilos and it was 305 million kilos in 2021. We are also thinking about providing a subsidy for chemical fertilizers or to reduce the price of fertilizers within the next three months,” he said.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Tea Smallholdings Development Authority and the Tea Leaf and Agricultural Products Marketing Centre and the Green Tea Collection and Agricultural Product Marketing Centre at Opatha, Galle. The Tea Small Holdings Development Authority has spent Rs. 13.4 million on the project under the Star project, which will serve about 2,500 tea smallholders in the area.
“At present the prices of not only fertilisers but also fuel, milk powder, cement and food items in the world market have gone up. Transport costs have gone up. The world’s manufacturing economy has collapsed due to the spread of the coronavirus. Due to these problems the prices of goods in our country as well as in the world have gone up. No government in the world wants to increase commodity prices and make people queue up during its rule,” he said.
The Minister said that the ban on chemical fertilisers was well-intentioned, but some sectors, including the tea industry, found it difficult to manage without agro-chemicals. However, the government was bringing down chemical fertiliser.
“But a 50 kg bag of fertiliser costs Rs. 7,200. People cannot afford that price. Although relief cannot be given immediately, the government is taking steps to provide relief in a systematic manner. We will provide a subsidy for fertiliser within the next two to three months. We are also working to reduce fertiliser prices,” he said.
\Minister Pathirana said that the tea industry was showing signs of improvement. Tea production in 2020 was 279 million kg. But despite the fertilizer crisis, the sector produced 305 million kilos of tea last year, he said.
“The government will implement several programs in the future to promote tea cultivation. However, the people are not aware of the projects implemented by the government. I allocated Rs. 1.5 billion for a project to provide water for cultivation. But not even fifty percent of that money has been spent. The World Bank Loan Scheme will provide US $ 20 million for the development of tea cultivation. We will provide that money to the people through public and private banks,” he said.
The Minister said that tea plants, compost, high shade plants, short shade plants, dolomite were provided free of charge. Applying too much chemical fertilizer did not increase the yield much.
“Fertilizer has clearly been misused in our country. In order to get a very high yield, organic fertilisers should be applied along with chemical fertilisers,” he said.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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