News
Lanka hit by deadly African swine fever for the first time
… possibly from illegally imported pork
By Rathindra Kuruwita
African swine fever has been reported for the first time among Sri Lankan pigs, hogs, and boars, according to Dr. K.K. Sarath, Director of the Western Province Animal Production and Health Department. He noted that thousands of pigs across the country had been dying in recent weeks. Initially, officials assumed that the cause was Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).
“PRRS and African swine fever present with many similar symptoms. Since PRRS has been previously reported in Sri Lanka, we initially treated the animals for that disease, though we did not see the expected results. Reports from other parts of South Asia suggested that PRRS and African swine fever could spread concurrently among pigs, so we tested some of the deceased animals for African swine fever as well, and confirmed that a number had both diseases,” he said.
Dr. Sarath explained that fever and a loss of appetite are symptoms of both PRRS and African swine fever. However, the latter has an almost 100 percent mortality rate, unlike PRRS, which can be managed through vaccination and other methods. “There is currently no vaccine or medical means of controlling African swine fever,” he said.
As of earlier this week, African swine fever had been detected in four farms in the Western Province, located in Beruwala, Welisara, and Padukka, with additional cases reported from farms in the Uva, North Central, and North-Western provinces.
Dr. K.K. Sarath
“When pigs contract African swine fever, they carry a large viral load. The virus is present in their excreta, saliva, and other bodily fluids. Often, a farmer might not take immediate action if one or two animals die. If they leave the farm in boots or clothing that has caome into contact with these fluids, they can unknowingly spread the virus. For instance, if a lorry driver transporting animals comes into contact with the infected farmer, the virus can easily be carried from one area to another. This virus can survive at room temperature, allowing it to spread swiftly,” he explained.
The virus is only destroyed at temperatures exceeding 50°C. “Another scenario involves farmers slaughtering a pig carrying the virus but not yet showing symptoms. Meat from an infected animal, for example, could be transported from a farm in the Western Province to Anuradhapura, and the virus could spread through the meat, as it can remain viable in frozen meat for days,” he added.
According to the Director, there are approximately 70,000 pigs in the Western Province, of which around 5,000 had died by the fourth week of October. Symptoms of African swine fever appear within nine to 15 days of infection. “Pig farming is facing severe challenges. We had an export market for pork, but now we can’t export until the outbreak is under control,” he said.
Dr. Sarath stated that the first priority is to isolate infected animals. In some countries, infected animals are culled, but this would require compensation, with each pig valued at around 100,000 rupees. Thousands of people rely on pig farms for their livelihood. Consequently, pig movements and pork products are currently halted, bringing the industry to a standstill.
He also highlighted the risk of wild boars contracting the disease from infected village pigs, as these animals often come into villages in search of food. “This could lead to mutations in the virus,” he said.
Efforts are underway to investigate how African swine fever entered the country, as imports are only permitted from disease-free nations. “Legally imported meat should not have introduced the disease into the country,” he noted.
In December 2023, approximately 3,000 kilos of African swine fever-infected meat was found in cold storage in Welisara. This meat, imported without Health Department approval, was intended for the festive season. “I’m unable to confirm how the consignment was destroyed, as it falls outside my Department’s remit,” Dr. Sarath concluded.
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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 11.30 a.m. 14 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 14 February 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 p.m. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
The General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
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Teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the forthcoming two teacher recruitment examinations will be conducted in accordance with the relevant court decisions pertaining to the ongoing legal proceedings and further noted that, taking into consideration the requests received, steps have been taken to make a request to Court’s approval to revise the conditions of the effective date of degree completion.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a meeting held at Monaragala Royal College to brief education authorities of the Monaragala District on the new education reforms.
Under the new education reforms, Smart Boards will be provided to 132 schools in the Monaragala District as part of the program to equip secondary schools with modern technology. As a symbolic step under this initiative, Smart Boards were presented to 10 secondary schools under the Prime Minister’s patronage. This program is being implemented with the intervention of the Digital Task Force operating under the Prime Minister’s Office. It was also emphasized that a new digital policy, formulated with special attention to child protection, will be introduced in April.
As part of her visit to the Monaragala District on the 13 th of February, the Prime Minister observed the implementation of the new learning methodologies introduced for Grade One under the new education reforms. She visited Kumbukkana Sri Shanmugam Tamil Maha Vidyalaya and Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya in Monaragala to observe the educational activities of Grade One students.
Considering the increase of student numbers and the development of infrastructure facilities, the Prime Minister also approved a proposal submitted by the School Development Society to rename Maduruketiya Maha Vidyalaya as Monaragala Dharmaraja Maha Vidyalaya.
Teachers briefed the Prime Minister that the new education system, supported by revised workbooks and activity-based learning methods, has proven to be effective, with students participating enthusiastically.
Addressing education officials further at the meeting held at Monaragala Royal College, the Prime Minister stated:
“Although this will not provide a complete solution to the existing teacher vacancies, these examinations can offer considerable relief. According to the Court’s previous determination, the effective date of degree completion had been set as 30.06.2025. However, considering numerous requests and following the cabinet approval we have sought Court’s consent to revise this date. We will act in accordance with the decision granted.
Funds allocated for school infrastructure must be utilized transparently and in line with proper planning, and progress must be reported accordingly. We cannot move forward by dividing ourselves along national, provincial, rural, or urban lines. As education authorities, you must make swift and accurate decisions based on correct data.
Further, discussions are already underway within the Piriven Committee of the Ministry of Education to develop Piriven education and to address the issues faced by Piriven teachers.”
The event was attended by the members of the Maha Sangha, Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ajith Agalakada, Uva Provincial Education Secretary Nihal Gunarathne, and several officials from the education sector.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal around 15th February
Special Weather Bulletin issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 10.30 a.m. on 13 February 2026
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal around 15th February.
The general public are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and Badulla and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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