News
Kanaka wants Basil in Parliament soon
Basil Rajapaksa should enter Parliament soon and make a comprehensive contribution to the economic development process, Company Estate Reforms, Tea Estate Related Crops, Tea Factory Modernization and Tea Export Promotion State Minister Kanaka Herath said.
The State Minister made this statement while addressing the Rambukkana electoral committee meeting (Aasana Bala Mandalaya) of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna held at the public market there with the participation
of a large gathering to coincide with the fourth convention of the SLPP.
State Minister Herath pointed out that Basil Rajapaksa was currently taking the lead in the country’s economic development work and that he could provide a more efficient and effective service to the country by being in Parliament.
All members of the SLPP were looking forward to Basil’s arrival in Parliament as he had the potential to serve the country in a more formal and efficient manner as a member of the Legislature, Herath said.
Commenting on the political process in the country, the State Minister said that the country should move beyond the traditional political pattern and accordingly the country should be at the forefront before the party. Accordingly, the Legislature had a special responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of the people and the country, he said, adding that Basil Rajapaksa could come to Parliament and lead the parliamentary group and strengthen the current course of government.
Commenting on the revival of the tea and rubber industries, the State Minister said that the current year’s budget had allocated the largest ever amount for the development of tea and rubber sector. Allocating such a huge amount had created an opportunity to develop the agricultural economy along with the manufacturing economy.
Through that, a subsidy of Rs. 250,000 per acre would be provided to tea and rubber growers for drip irrigation for the first time. Besides tea cultivation subsidy had been increased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 750,000 per acre while the subsidy on rubber cultivation per acre was Rs 500,000, State Minister Herath said.
Commenting on the physical development of the Kegalle District, he said that all the bus driven roads had already been carpeted by now. Rural roads were being developed and constructed by laying concrete or carpet.
He emphasized that no matter what the Opposition said, the programme to build the country would be carried out as the people expected in line with the “Vision for the Prosperity” policy statement.
State Ministers Janaka Wakkumbura, Roshan Ranasinghe, Parliamentarian Rajika Wickramasinghe, Sudath Manjula and many others were present at the meeting.
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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