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Environment Minister blames woes of public on politicians, bureacrats

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Environment Minister with his officials at the commencement of work for the new year yesterday

“I experimented with organic farming successfully’

By Ifham Nizam

A senior minister yesterday blamed the economic downturn on politicians as well as public servants, who, he said, had failed to do their job in the 74 years since Independence.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said so, addressing an officials meeting at the Ministry of Environment to commence the duties in the New Year 2022.

The pledge of commitment by the public service was read out and religious observances were held at the commencement of the New Year duties.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe and other officials were also present.

Amaraweera observed that one out of every 15 people in Sri Lanka was a public servant. “Maybe this year the figure will increase further. The government has decided to confirm 50,000 graduates in service. Also, another 100,000 have been recruited to the public service. Only by strengthening the public service can a country be developed.

“However, the economic development during the past 74 years has not been at a satisfactory level. Politicians are directly responsible for that. I am also responsible for this situation. Also, the per capita debt in our country today is around Rs. 800,000. All this shows that politicians as well as public servants have failed.

We have a big target for 2022. We have to spend Rs. 2000 million. The government gave us more money not because we have money. Therefore, the money has to be used effectively. Last year, some funds were returned to the Treasury because of Covid. It will not happen again this year. We all need to work efficiently.”

The Minister also expressed concern about the Minister of Agriculture complaining that neither the Ministry of Health nor the Ministry of Environment helped him in his organic farming efforts. Denying the charge, he said: “We started organic farming about two years ago. He said he had experimented with organic farming successfully. As the Minister of Agriculture I started organic farming in my paddy field and got a good harvest.

But now it is not easy to get the farmers back to organic farming. Agriculture policies have made people bitter,” he added.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment said, “We as the Ministry of Environment did a lot of work last year. But there was more we had to do. Therefore, we have been given Rs. 2000 million this year. We must not allow the projects we implement this year to drag on until 2023. All the steps we take this year must be completed within this year.”

“Last year we concluded a programme to identify sensitive ecological zones. We have decided to continue the programme this year as well. We have already identified about 200 sensitive ecological zones.

They should all be completed this year. Therefore, it was our responsibility to prepare all future programmes while protecting the environment as expected by the government, he said.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

10 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

11 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.