News
Devananda gets tough with Chinese sea cucumber farm owner
By Dinasena Ratugamage
Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda on Wednesday threatened to take stern action if a sea cucumber farm, managed by a Chinese company in Kilinochchi that was allegedly operating under an invalid license.
Devananda made this statement during an observation visit to the above mentioned sea cucumber farm. The Minister was accompanied by journalists, representatives of local fisheries associations and ministry officers
Minister Devananda said that the authorisation to operate the farm had been given by the previous yahapalana government.
The Minister added that he had instructed officers to look into the matter and already
National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) is looking into it.
“I will get the report soon and if there is any irregularity, I will take action. A number of fisheries associations have lodged complaints against this company,” Minister Devananda said.
Sea cucumber is a delicacy in high demand in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine. In 2016, NAQDA had issued a licence for the sea cucumber farm as a joint venture between a Sri Lankan and a Chinese company.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
Cabinet approves liquidation of Sahasya Investment Company
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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