News
Govt. to ban liquor in quarter bottles unless manufacturers get their act together
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Tuesday vowed to ban liquor being sold in 180 ml (quarter) bottles considering the damage they inflicted on the environment.
Minister Amaraweera addressing officials of the Central Environmental Authority when he visited the CEA office in Battaramulla, after assuming duties, said the liquor companies sold liquor in 180 ml bottles made of glass or plastic. The consumers discarded them haphazardly after use. “The liquor companies do not collect them. They should be banned or the companies should collect those bottles for reuse or recycling. We can introduce a high tax under the polluter-pays-principle so that the companies will not get a profit by selling them.” Minister Amaraweera said that environment authorities and municipal cleaning agencies had pointed out that the need to introduce a new system to minimise environmental pollution caused by the discarded empty liquor bottles.
As per the available records over 300 million quarter liquor bottles had been purchased in 2019 from liquor shops, the minister said.
We should introduce a new system that encourages liquor consumers to return empty bottles instead of discarding them on the roadside.
As the first step under the new system, the liquor companies would be requested to provide a refund for every empty 180 ml alcohol bottle returned to any liquor outlet.
In addition to the quarter liquor bottles, the sachets containing shampoo, sauce and other products and small plastic bottles containing some products such as liquid blue used on white cloths too have become a threat to environment because the consumers discard them in a haphazard manner.
Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe was also present.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met with a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11).
During the meeting, the WFP representatives agreed to continue their on-going programs in Sri Lanka without disruptions.
Although the food crisis in Sri Lanka has eased to some extent, the WFP officials expressed their willingness to extend further support through new programme whenever additional needs arise.
The WFP delegation included WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, the Government Partnerships Officer Musthafa Nihmath and the Gerard Rebello , WFP Sri Lanka ‘s Deputy Country Director. Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, also attended the meeting.
News
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, from next week.
After reviewing the delay in adding the Rs. 3000 allowance to the October pension, the President directed that this amount be credited to the pensioners’ accounts within the next week.
These instructions were given during a meeting held on Thursday (10) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Despite the circular No. 02/2024 dated 2024/08/24 issued by the Public Administration Department to grant a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3000 to all pensioners, funds were not allocated for this purpose.
Upon reviewing the matter, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed the officials of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the required funds are provided.
Considering the hardships faced by pensioners due to the non-payment of the Rs. 3000 allowance with the October pension, and their subsequent requests, the President decided to proceed with the payment from this month, despite the prevailing financial difficulties of the government.
Since the October pension has already been credited to the pensioners’ accounts, the President instructed officials to ensure that the Rs. 3000 allowance is credited to their accounts within the next week, and from next month, this allowance will be added to the monthly pension.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena and several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were present at this meeting
[PMD]
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on 08th October 2024, departed the island today (11th October), on successful completion of its formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions.
While the ship was in Colombo, the crew took the opportunity to explore some of the country’s tourist attractions. They also participated in various programmes designed to foster camaraderie between the two navies. Moreover, Sri Lanka Navy personnel attended briefings on the operational functions of the visiting ship.
WFP Assures Continuous Support to Sri Lanka
President directs officials to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000 to Pensioners from Next Week
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ departs Island
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