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Drones being used to fight blight disease in rubber plantations
Plantations State Minister Kanaka Herath stated that rubber growers should pay proper attention to the spread of a fungal disease associated with rubber cultivation which reduced the production of rubber latex by about 30 per cent.
Deputy Director of the Rubber Research Institute Dr. Priyani Seneviratne said that rubber growers should be vigilant to prevent the spread of leaf blight fungal diseases due to the prevailing rainy weather.
This fungal disease was found in rubber plantations in the island in both 2019 and 2020. This year too, the disease is associated with rubber growing districts such as Kegalle, Kalutara and Ratnapura has been identified.
This fungal disease, also known as Pestalotiopsis, is also known as leaf blight due to the shedding of leaves in rubber plantations. Although the average annual leaf fall in rubber plantations occurs from February to April, the leaves fall even after the normal leaf fall period in rubber plantations where the fungal disease has spread, she said.
According to Dr Seneviratne if any rubber plantation sheds leaves in or after May, it may be due to this new leaf fall disease. However, due to the current outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and severe travel restrictions in the country to arrest its spread, it is practically difficult to inspect these crops or to control the disease in any way.
“It has been noticed that the disease is spreading rapidly due to the prevailing monsoon rainy weather. It is essential to know the extent of the affected areas to treat the disease and to prevent further spread of the disease.
Therefore, Dr. Seneviratne urged all rubber collectors to be vigilant about leaf fall during or after May. If a leaf fall has occurred on your rubber plantation during the month of May, please notify the Rubber Development Officer of the area where the rubber land is situated or call the following telephone number,” she Stated.
Accordingly, the Rubber Research Institute kindly requests the Rubber Growers to send details such as a picture of a fallen leaf, the address of the land, your telephone number, the clone belonging to the plantation and the extent of the land to this WhatsApp number 0772419482 .
The Minister pointed out that for the first time in Sri Lanka, a pilot project for spraying chemicals using drone technology was launched to control this disease. The pilot project carried out at Panawatta Estate, Yatiyantota, the chemical was sprayed on the leaves of the rubber leaves under the guidance of Rubber Research Institute officials.
Fungicide spraying has long been practiced from the root of the tree. Applying the chemical in this way is practically impossible. As a solution to this situation, drones are used to apply chemicals directly on rubber leaves. The pilot project has proven that the application of the substance is more efficient and effective. Therefore, this fungal disease was successfully controlled using drones.
State Minister Herath said that in addition to drone technology, modern pest control methods will be used to control the spread of this fungal disease in rubber plantations and prevent its further spread.
The fungal disease, which affects rubber plantations, was first reported in the Kalawana area in Ratnapura in 2019 and has now spread to districts such as Kegalle and Kalutara. Dr. Seneviratne said that there is a high probability of the spread of this fungal disease in areas with high rainfall.
The disease was reported from Indonesia in 2017 and Malaysia in 2018. It is estimated that production could be reduced by as much as 30 per cent. This fungal disease causes damage not only for rubber cultivation but also for many plants including avocado.
If the leaf shedding is more than 50 per cent, the rubber taping should not be carried out. This could reduce rubber production by as much as 30 per cent.
It can be observed that if one fungus infects one rubber variant, it is often resistant to the other variants. However, it is observed that the disease spreads to all species, she declared.
Latest News
Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President
Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara on Monday (07), President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within the Sri Lanka Police to ensure the rule of law, order and authority.
The President noted that the public places its trust in the Sri Lanka Police to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Disanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career and urged the officers to embrace their professional duty in a way that contributes meaningfully to the transformative change the country requires.
Highlighting the current state of institutional breakdown in many sectors, the President pointed out that the people have already initiated change by altering the political authority, but reiterated that political transformation alone is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive and positive transformation across all sectors is necessary for national progress.
The President further emphasized that new police officers carry the responsibility of meeting public expectations. He called on them to ensure public safety and security and to prevent the nation from falling prey to organized crime and drug-related issues.
He also stated that the younger generation must take responsibility for the motherland, bearing that duty on their shoulders and should strive to steer both their personal future and the future of the country in a positive direction.
President Disanayake concluded by saying that joining the regular service of the Sri Lanka Police today should be remembered by all as a significant and powerful step forward.
The President further noted that the service rendered by the Special Task Force (STF) on behalf of the public during times of emergency and disaster is highly commendable.
A total of 118 newly recruited Sub-Inspectors and 231 Probationary Police Constables who successfully completed their basic training graduated during the ceremony.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake awarded certificates and honours to officers who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training programme.
A commemorative token was also presented to President Disanayake, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
An operational demonstration by STF officers on a simulated battlefield was presented as part of the event.
Established in 1983 under the theme “Victory is Certain”, the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force is currently recognized as a prestigious unit deployed for VIP protection, crime and organized crime suppression and narcotics control efforts aimed at building a drug-free nation.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, STF Commanding Officer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, along with other senior police officers, the parents of graduating officers and other invitees.
[PMD]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the following notification / order / rule published in the government gazette notification to the Parliament for its concurrence:
• Notification on the revision of tax limit of luxury on motor vehicles under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 41 dated 31.01.2025.
• Rule issued under the Production Levy (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989 on revision of production levy rate for vehicles operated with electricity published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 42 dated 31.01.2025
• Order issued under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 on extension of the period on which the 50% relief is active which is given to the deviation levy published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 30 dated 31.01.2025
Although there are legal provisions for the right to publish, technical planning, right of patent, trademarks and enterprises etc, in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, there are no provisions for securing the rights of plant species (relevant to breeders, researchers and farmers).
In addition, no patents can be issued for flora and fauna according to the provisions of the intellectual rights act. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 22.05.2024 to introduce a new act for securing the rights of plant species.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has pointed out that policy approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers should be taken to complete the drafting of the new flora species rights securing act.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposals submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for the preparation of the said draft bill.
Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President
Submission of gazette notifications for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Cabinet approval to prepare new Act for securing the rights of plant species
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