News
British woman urges support for Sri Lanka’s strays
A project that aims to help stray cats and dogs in Sri Lanka is asking for donations to boost its work and expand its operations, said a report published by the News and Star of the UK.
Rachel Schofield, from Wigton (UK), founded Help Hikkaduwa Strays after a holiday to the area in September 2013.
She was determined to help after seeing the number of strays suffering and her organisation now rehomes litter after litter of abandoned pups and kittens.
The charity’s work also involves regular feeding of the strays in the local areas, neutering and spaying, and treating sickness or injury as well as taking in disabled, blind or traumatised older cats and dogs who live permanently with the charity’s manager in Hikkaduwa, as well as helping locals spay their pets.
Rachel is now expanding her work to help strays in the Badulla area of the country and is asking for donations to help make this possible.
She wants to help Andrea Arthur who rescued 14 dogs from the streets there.
Rachel said on Facebook: “We have supported Andrea for some time in feeding the stray dogs in her area .
“We have several pieces of land to view once the pandemic enables us to do so.
“In the meantime we are funding the vaccinations (DHPL) of all Andrea’s dogs.
Once they have completed the course we will work with Andrea to help improve the health of the strays in her area.
“This way her own dogs are safe before more in-depth work to help the street dogs and cats begins.”
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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Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
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
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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