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EDB promotes Lankan food beverages in South Korea

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The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in South Korea organised Sri Lanka product displays to promote the Food and Beverage sector in the Korean market, the EDB said.

It said: Lankan food products were promoted in Korea Import Good Fair (KIGF) organised by Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) at COEX, Seoul, and during the Seoul Food and Hotel Show (SFH) which was held at the Korea International Exhibition Centre (Kintex).

Both events provided opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to explore new business leads and strengthen the existing business networks.

South Korea is the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 10th largest in the world. It remains one of the fastest growing developed countries in the world. South Korea was the 28th largest export destination of Sri Lanka with an export value of US$ 71.06 million in 2020 of which US $ 24.46 million was earned from the food and beverage products including coconut and coconut-based products, tea, fish and fisheries products, spices, essential oils and oleoresins, fruits and nuts and vegetables. Sri Lanka and South Korea are member countries of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) and over 1,367 products are eligible for preferential tariff concessions when exporting to the Korean market.

Desiccated Coconut and Black Tea are major products exported from Sri Lanka under APTA concessions. There is a considerable market for premier quality products, especially in the food and beverage sector in South Korea. And also Sri Lanka Export Development Board have two MOUs with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Korea Importers Associations (KOIMA) to promote Sri Lankan export products to South Korea.

The Products of six Sri Lankan companies, namely, Lanka Canneries (Pvt) Ltd, Edinborough Products Pvt Ltd, Sri Lankan Catering Limited, International Commodity Exports Private Limited, Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, and Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd were showcased in KIGF and SFH 2021. Sri Lankan companies received trade inquiries for their products during the exhibitions and the EDB with the support of the Sri Lanka Embassy in South Korea is facilitating virtual B2B meetings to follow-up their negotiations with the identified Korean buyers.

With the fruitful outcomes of the participation during this year, EDB is optimistic of organising Sri Lanka’s participation at the KIGF 2022 and SFH 2022 with a view to diversify the basket of the nation’s export products to South Korea.



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Investigation underway into misappropriation of funds by police officers; two arrested

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Police Headquarters has launched a special investigation to apprehend some Officers-in-Charge (OICs) who allegedly misappropriated funds allocated for removing posters, banners, and cut-outs during the last presidential election.

The probe was prompted by the recent arrest of an Inspector of Police (IP) and a Woman Sub-Inspector (WSI) attached to a police station in the Bandarawela Division. They were accused of embezzling funds allocated by the government for the removal of unauthorised election related propaganda materials.

The IP, who is the OIC of the station, and the WSI have allegedly misappropriated over Rs. 100,000 by falsifying documents pertaining to payments made to workers. Their arrest followed an investigation launched following an anonymous petition. The two suspects were produced before the Bandarawela Magistrate and were released on bail.

A senior officer from Headquarters said it was possible the funds were misappropriated in that manner by other police personnel as well.

As part of the probe, an audit of election-related expenses allocated to the OICs at police stations across the country during the last presidential election would be conducted, he added.

By Norman Palihawadane

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Family discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden

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Finding a species long thought to be extinct is a dream of many naturalists and ecologists. One family in Sri Lanka got to have this amazing experience. Journalist and naturalist Sajeewa Wijeweera was shocked to see a bizarre-looking red mushroom with a rounded base emerging from the soil near his home, according to Mongabay.

He hadn’t seen it before, so he snapped a photo and sent it to some botanists. A doctoral researcher from the University of Peradeniya, Bhathiya Gopallawa, responded quickly. “This looks like a mushroom not recorded from Sri Lanka before,” he said.

They started digging through records of mycological research, trying to figure out what it was. Finally, they identified it as a Mutinus bambusinus, a mushroom that hadn’t been seen in Sri Lanka for more than 100 years. Usually, it grows around bamboo groves. However, Wijeweera said, “There were no bamboos in that area for as long as I can remember.”

Now, they think the mushroom is likely more common than previously thought. Gopallawa explained, “It’s likely that the mushroom survives in many locations but has been overlooked for years. … We expect more reports in the coming months.”

This mushroom isn’t the only species once thought extinct that has been found again. The World Economic Forum noted that even some animals have been rediscovered after we thought they were gone forever. Other botanists have found supposedly missing species in photos and videos, too.

Since extinction is tied to biodiversity loss, per the United Nations, finding these species is encouraging. It doesn’t replace species that no longer exist, and it doesn’t mean we should stop our efforts to end extinction, but it suggests there’s always hope.

Biodiversity enables us all to thrive, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Having more species helps different ecosystems remain healthy, which in turn leads to greater overall well-being for the planet that supports us all.

This story shows that you don’t have to be a scientist to look out for lost species. You just have to keep your eyes peeled. In fact, University of Peradeniya botanist Deepthi Yakandawala said, “This is a great example of how citizen science can contribute to formal research.”

Electing politicians who will work to change laws in support of biodiversity can make a big difference, while reducing pollution to stop the planet from overheating goes a long way toward preserving all life on Earth.

(The Cooldown)

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Coast Guard launches 24/7 maritime emergency hotline – 106

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The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) last week launched a dedicated 24-hour emergency hotline — 106 — directly connected to the SLCG Operations Room, to strengthen maritime safety and ensure a swift response to sea-borne emergencies, the Ministry of Defence announced.

According to the Ministry, the newly introduced hotline aims to minimize response times and enhance coordination during maritime distress situations. By providing seafarers, coastal communities, and the general public with an immediate and direct communication channel, the SLCG seeks to improve operational readiness and support national efforts in maritime security and environmental conservation.

As Sri Lanka’s premier maritime law enforcement agency, the SLCG plays a vital role in safeguarding the country’s territorial waters. With a core mandate focused on safety, security, and environmental protection, the Coast Guard serves as the first responder to oil spills and is actively involved in various maritime incidents, including search and rescue operations, human smuggling, drug trafficking, and other emergencies at sea.

The Coast Guard urges fishermen, maritime operators, and the public to use the emergency hotline 106 to report any maritime emergencies without delay, the Ministry of Defence added.

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