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EU, Germany and EDB offer technical support to organic agriculture producers and exporters in Lanka
Recognizing Sri Lanka’s potential in the organic agriculture sector and its’ importance for food security, the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Export Development Board (EDB) have launched the Organic Agriculture Webinar Series: one-of-a-kind, accessible and educational video episodes that explore a variety of topics including organic certification, organic practices and successful organic farming methods across Sri Lanka. The series, facilitated by local and international experts, will support local producers, sellers and exporters who are looking to expand their businesses to meet demands of the local and European markets.
The Organic Agriculture webinar series falls under the project “Support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Organic Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka” funded by the EU and BMZ and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Since 2021, the project supports organic food producers in Sri Lanka to access new markets in the EU and provide private sector investment opportunities. The programme is collaborating with national institutions such as the EDB to address necessary regulatory and policy changes for the domestic organic food sector. Support is also provided to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB) to digitalise insurance services in the agri-food sector. The overall aim is to increase the share of Sri Lanka’s national organic market through improved standards, digitalisation, investment and increased consumer demand.
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Jenny Correia Nunes said: “The European Union is promoting inclusive rural growth through a more productive, sustainable and resilient agriculture industry in Sri Lanka for years now. Through this project we encourage better organic agriculture practices, more investments and exports. Our support to the agriculture sector will continue and we are committed to provide much needed assistance in times of crisis.”
Chairman of the EDB, Suresh de Mel, said that “The collaboration of the public and private sector and the donor community is important in promoting organic exports. Their assistance will help strengthen the private sector and ensure technical support to streamline policies in developing the organic agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.”
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]
Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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