News
Ambassador Chung announces new USDA Food Aid
Ambassador Julie Chung announced yesterday the recent arrival of 770 metric tons (MT) of fortified rice and 100 MT of fortified vegetable oil through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) “McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program.” Since 2021, USDA food aid has provided protein supplements using yellow split peas and Alaskan pink salmon to over 95,000 children in 835 primary schools distributed over seven districts (Nuwaraeliya, Badulla, Monaragala, Rathnapura, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Trincomalee). Ambassador Chung made the announcement during a visit to the Guruaragama Primary School to observe a school feeding programme supported by the United States government assistance. The U.S. also supported construction of new latrines at the school. Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha, Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province Tikiri Kobbakaduwa, and USDA/FAS Senior Regional Agricultural Attaché Mariano J. Beillard joined Ambassador Chung.
In partnership with Save The Children and alongside the Sri Lankan government and local communities, USDA/FAS is implementing the Promoting Autonomy, Literacy, and Attentiveness through Market Alliances (PALAM/A) project in Sri Lanka. This US $27.5 million initiative began providing food shipments at the height of the pandemic and will be completed this year. The project, which includes monitoring and oversight provisions, improves literacy and nutrition while reducing short-term hunger of school-age children. More broadly, the United States government has provided food assistance to nearly two million Sri Lankan school children over the past year.
Ambassador Chung met teachers and parents as well as school children. As she toured the school’s classrooms, Ambassador Chung said, “I am honored to join Minister Premajayantha and to see first-hand how Sri Lanka’s school feeding program is benefiting children’s nutrition and education, and to witness the positive impact of the United States government’s assistance in this vital effort. This is the second school I’ve visited in a week that is receiving food assistance from the United States – last week I was at St. John’s Maha Vidyalaya in Colombo North where USAID is working with the World Food Program to support a US $7 million school feeding program. The U.S. has worked alongside the people of Sri Lanka for 75 years in a strong, enduring, and successful partnership, and these children eating a healthy morning meal – through food assistance provided by American citizens – really demonstrates how partners support each other in difficult times.”
This year marks the 75th anniversary of U.S. – Sri Lankan diplomatic relations, a rich history defined by our people-to-people relationships, the progress we have achieved together, and the close partnership that will assist Sri Lankans to build a brighter future.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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