News
Environment Ministry to cultivate 500 hectares of rubber
By Ifham Nizam
Environment Ministry would shortly launch a programme to cultivate 500 hectares of rubber for the first time to increase the forest cover here, Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. He said that he had had discussions with officials of the Ministry of Environment in that regard. Along with this initiative, plans were underway to develop five nature related tourist attractions here, he said.”In 2022 we have to work with a new vision. We must pay special attention to the conservation of the environment as well as the development of the livelihoods of the people,” he said.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera also emphasized the above requirement from time to time, he said. Dr. Jasinghe said that for the current year the government had allocated Rs. 2000 million to the Ministry. “So we have to work very efficiently,” he stressed.Cultivation would be done to cater two purposes. The first objective is to increase the forest cover. The second objective is to improve the livelihood of the people.”Although rubber cultivation is not a function of our Ministry, we had a fruitful discussion with the State Ministry of Wildlife Conservation in this regard,” he noted.Accordingly, the Environment Ministry is implementing a rubber cultivation programme in collaboration with the Plantation Ministry. At present the natural forest cover in Sri Lanka is around 29.2 percent. “Our goal is to expand forest cover to 30 percent by 2025, he said , adding that “if rubber cultivation is included in the forest cover, that amount will increase even more. Other countries in the world have included rubber plantations in their forest cover”.
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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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
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