News

Food stuck in Colombo Port to be released immediately

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/20

By Ifham Nizam

Steps would be taken to release all cargo containers carrying food currently stuck in port warehouses. The decision was announced when Sri Lanka Freedom Party members met Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday.

“During the discussion the Finance Minister informed us that as there were a large number of food containers in our port at present, steps would be taken to release those stocks to the market immediately,” Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said responding to journalists.

He said government was taking steps to address the shortage of certain food items due to the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic in the country.

“The government will never allow a food shortage in the country. Due to rising prices in the world market, some traders have restricted their wholesale market share. The situation created by price increases in the world market is beyond our control. This is the case with some essential commodities such sugar, gas and milk powder,” he said.

Minister Amaraweera said the prices of sugar and milk powder in the world market had gone up, but the government had taken steps to provide relief to the public by waiving the import levy on milk powder imports.

“Accordingly, the large tax imposed on milk powder was reduced. However, the companies that import milk powder say that they are still incurring losses”, the minister said.

The Finance Minister also informed the SLFP MPs that steps would be taken to provide the required foreign exchange through the Treasury.

“So, we are confident that by next week, the shortage of certain food items as well as gas will be over. It was emphasised during the discussion that ships carrying gas were on the way. As a government, we will take steps to provide the people with what they need without any shortage despite the problematic situation,” Amaraweera added.

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News

UN Delegation Meets Chief of Staff to the President

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/8

Priyan

A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.

Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.

The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.

Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.

Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.

[President’s Media Division]

News

Afghanistan to host Zimbabwe, Bangladesh in ODI tri-series

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/8

Priyan

Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will lock horns in a tri-series [Cricbuzz]

Afghanistan will host Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in an ODI tri-series in UAE from October 17 to 23. This comes as a precursor to the T20I series and the two Tests between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the same country. The three T20Is will be played on October 27, 29 and November 1, and will be followed by the two Tests – the first commencing on November 5 and the second from November 13.

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will get the tri-series going on October 17, with Zimbabwe then facing Afghanistan on October 19. The hosts will meet Bangladesh on October 21 before the summit clash on October 23.

Before Zimbabwe reach UAE for the tri-series and the subsequent bilateral matches, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will also contest in a one-off Test from October 9 to 13.

“This is an important tour for Zimbabwe, offering our players high-quality competition across all three formats,” Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.

“The ODI tri-series will test us against two strong sides, while the two Tests are especially valuable as we continue seeking more regular opportunities in the longest format. We sincerely appreciate the Afghanistan Cricket Board for hosting this programme and the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their cooperation. We look forward to a competitive and exciting tour.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board too welcomed the prospect of playing matches in all three formats in the series.

“Playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities and offer our supporters an exciting period of international cricket,” Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to providing our national team with regular, high-quality international cricket. We highly value our relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket and appreciate their cooperation in making these important assignments possible,” he added.

[ Cricbuzz]

Latest News

INS Udaygiri makes port call in Colombo

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/8

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.

INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.

Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.

The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.

Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.