News
FAO and China launch South-South Cooperation project to strengthen Fruit Value Chains in Sri Lanka
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated a 1.5 million USD project, via funding from China as part of the South-South Cooperation (SSC) programme, to improve the quality and value of Sri Lankan fruits in the global market by improving the production and commercialization of fruit value-chains in Sri Lanka.
Issuing a press release on Friday, the FAO said that the project initiation was marked with a workshop held in Colombo. The interventions, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, will focus on practical field-based training programmes, including the establishment of model fruit farms, and improving post-harvest handling, marketing, and commercialization of the selected fruit varieties. The project, which will be implemented in the Kalutara, Gampaha, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, and Kilinochchi districts, will focus on productivity, production, and commercialization of the fruit value-chains of three main Sri Lankan fruit crops – banana, mango, and pineapple.
Director of FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, Anping Ye appreciated the strong support by the Chinese government and the concerted efforts made by all stakeholders in the project preparation and implementation. He also highlighted the important role of national ownership and strong leadership of the Government for the project success.
A team of nine Chinese technical experts have begun working alongside their counterparts from the Fruit Research Development Institute (FRDI) and the National Institute of Post-Harvest Management (NIPHM) of Sri Lanka to implement the programme over the next two and a half years.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director General of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Centre (FECC) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Lin Huifang, said the South-South Cooperation provides a fantastic approach to build partnerships. She asked the expert team to comply with the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) and give their best performance in providing technical support to Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Shiromani Edirimanne, Additional Secretary (Agri-technology), of the Ministry of Agriculture said, “This project has been designed to address the present issues of Sri Lanka’s fruit value chains through consultations with all relevant partners. This programme represents a significant milestone in the development of Sri Lanka’s fruit production sector and is a testament to the strong partnership between Sri Lanka and China, through FAO Sri Lanka.”
“All stakeholders, including farmers, processors, and traders, have a shared interest in improving the quality of fruit, produced in Sri Lanka. Prioritizing interventions, such as these, will lead to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable fruit value chains that are able to withstand, not only environmental shocks, but market uncertainties, as well,’ FAO’s Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Vimlendra Sharan said speaking at the event.
Sri Lanka has a rich diversity of fruits, with approximately 100 edible fruit crops. However, the fruit sector remains underdeveloped. As a result, the sector suffers from poor cultivation and high post-harvest losses, leading to low yield and inadequate adherence to international quality standards. This project aims to address such concerns and strengthen the fruit value chains in the domestic, as well as export markets.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that indictments had been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Minister and NDF Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over a corruption allegation.
The Bribery Commission notified the court when the case, in this regard, was taken up yesterday before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
At the hearing, the CIABOC notified the court that indictments had been presented before the Colombo High Court against the accused.
Accordingly, concluding the proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate ordered MP Dassanayake to appear before the High Court once a notice was issued.
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle
CIABOC indicts MP Chamara Sampath in HC on bribery allegation
High-level discussion held to enhance Sri Lanka Agricultural Productivity with Chinese assistance
Prasanna’s travel ban lifted temporarily under enhanced bail and restrictions on guarantors
US Embassy reminds Lankans of strict American visa restrictions
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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