News

Locally produced superphosphate to be introduced next year to save foreign exchange

Published

2 years ago

2024/12/7

Thilina Walpola

Gomika

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Locally produced superphosphate would be introduced to the market next year, Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya, President’s Senior Advisor on Science and Technology, Professor at the University of Houston, and the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in the USA, said in a recent televised interview.

Prof. Udugamasooriya said that currently Sri Lanka only produced rock phosphate from the Eppawala deposit. While rock phosphate was good for long-term crops because it was a slow-release fertiliser that provided nutrients over time, it did not work well for paddy, etc., he said.

“We import large quantities of superphosphate every year. This is made by reacting phosphate rock with sulphuric acid to convert the mineral into a form that plants can absorb. A 50-kilo bag of superphosphate is about Rs 15,000 now and if we produce superphosphate domestically, we can sell it for a few thousand rupees.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said a number of scientists had conducted research on Eppawala rock phosphate and that the process of converting rock phosphate into superphosphate had been studied by Sri Lankans. “We can save at least eight billion rupees each year by this project alone. Several researchers have already lined up to invest in the project. Lanka Phosphate Ltd, a fully state-owned entity, will mine phosphate. That way we can ensure that the environment is also protected,” he said.

Prof. Udugamasooriya added that the excavated phosphate would then be then given to investors to convert it into superphosphate. The initiative is a joint venture by Ministries of Science, Industries and Finance.

“We don’t have a sulphuric acid factory in Sri Lanka. We need to build one. Maybe Paranthan Chemicals Company Ltd can play a big role here. We are trying to link all these projects together so we can develop science and research in Sri Lanka.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said in Sri Lanka science and technology had been relegated to a corner. Scientists and researchers also worked in silos, who are also worried about intellectual property theft.

“In the US, our ideas are protected from the beginning, and this gives a researcher the confidence to speak with others without worrying his or her idea will be stolen. We are trying to save that because communication and collaboration is key to scientific development,” he said.

Sri Lanka only allocates 0.12 percent from the GDP for research and development, he said. The US allocates about 3.5 percent of the GDP, while South Korea spends about 4.5 percent for research and development.

“Of course, we can’t set such targets at once. However, we suggest that we must look at countries that are similar to us, like Thailand, Malaysia, etc. These countries spend about one percent of their GDP on research and development. Our proposal is to match those countries initially. Of course, we must address the issues related to basic needs first, but we must not forget that we are in this mess because our governments paid no attention to research and development and innovation.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said a lot of research had been carried out in the country despite lack of incentives. However, those in power have not looked at commercialising research. Prof. Udugamasooriya mentioned that in the United States the government funded many research and those funds were earmarked for sectors that the state has identified as strategic.

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Specialist Dr. Nihal Weerasooriya assumes duties as new Deputy Director General of Kandy National Hospital

Published

9 mins ago

2026/06/14

Thilina Walpola

Specialist Dr. Nihal Weerasooriya officially assumed duties as the new Deputy Director General of the Kandy National Hospital on Friday morning.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Weerasooriya held several senior administrative positions within the health sector. He previously served as Director of the Hatton-Dickoya Base Hospital and the Nuwara Eliya General Hospital. He also has extensive experience in regional health administration, having served for several years as Director of Health Services for the Central Province.

A highly respected figure in the medical field, Dr. Weerasooriya is an alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy.

His extensive experience is expected to contribute significantly to the administrative and clinical operations of the Kandy National Hospital.

Text and Pic By S.K. Samaranayake

News

Specialised milk formula at Udawalawe Transit Home

Published

9 mins ago

2026/06/14

Thilina Walpola

The special formula is particularly for those under eight to ten weeks of age

Strengthening survival of orphaned baby elephants

In a significant conservation collaboration, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS), in partnership with the China Merchants Foundation (CMF) the philanthropic arm of the China Merchants Group, Hambantota International Port Group Private Limited (HIPG), and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), has successfully imported and delivered a specialised elephant milk formula to support orphaned elephant calves undergoing rehabilitation at the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe, WNPS announced.

“The arrival of the milk formula marks the fulfilment of a commitment announced under the second phase of the partnership between HIPG, WNPS and the DWC, aimed at strengthening care for orphaned elephants while advancing broader efforts to mitigate Human–Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka,” a news release said.

It explained that for over two decades, the Elephant Transit Home has stood as one of the world’s most successful elephant rewilding programmes, having rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 190 orphaned elephants back into the wild. Yet one of the greatest challenges faced by veterinarians has been the care of very young calves, particularly those under eight to ten weeks of age, whose nutritional needs differ significantly from those of older elephants.

Until now, orphaned calves have largely depended on modified human milk formulas. However, young elephants often struggle to digest these substitutes, leading to nutritional complications during the most vulnerable period of their lives.

The newly imported formula, produced by renowned Australian wildlife nutrition specialist Wombaroo, has been specifically developed to more closely replicate the nutritional profile of elephant mother’s milk. Rich in fatty acids, proteins and carbohydrates, while excluding certain micro-elements that can be difficult for young calves to process, the formula is expected to provide a more suitable nutritional foundation during the critical early stages of growth and development.

The introduction of the formula follows extensive consultation, research and testing by veterinarians attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Elephant Transit Home, who explored global best practices before selecting the product.

Conservationists and wildlife veterinarians hope that the enhanced nutrition will significantly improve survival rates among the youngest orphaned calves while supporting healthier growth, stronger immune systems and improved long-term prospects for successful rewilding.

The initiative reflects a science-led approach to wildlife conservation, bringing together government expertise, conservation leadership and private-sector support to address a long-standing gap in orphaned elephant care.

Beyond supporting the Elephant Transit Home, the broader partnership between HIPG, WNPS and the DWC continues to invest in community education, farmer awareness programmes and practical interventions aimed at reducing Human–Elephant Conflict and fostering coexistence between people and wildlife.

Past President and Chair of WNPS Numan Elephant coexistence subcommittee handing over the consignment of special milk to Dr Malaka Abeyawardana Head Veterinarian of ETH

The introduction of specialised elephant milk formula represents another important step forward in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s orphaned elephants receive the best possible start in life—strengthening not only their chances of survival, but also the future of one of the nation’s most iconic wildlife species.

: The New formula is set to improve the survival, health, and development of orphaned calves during their most vulnerable early weeks

: A young orphaned calf receives the newly introduced specialised elephant milk formula at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, part of a joint conservation effort to strengthen care and survival rates for Sri Lanka’s youngest rescued elephants

News

UN anti-torture subcommittee to begin Lanka visit tomorrow

Published

9 mins ago

2026/06/14

Thilina Walpola

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will begin its second official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (15), with the delegation scheduled to remain in the country until June 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced.

In a statement, the Ministry said the visit forms part of Sri Lanka’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which the country acceded to in December 2017.

The SPT last visited Sri Lanka in April 2019 following the country’s accession to the protocol.

Following accession to OPCAT, the Government designated the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), responsible for carrying out independent monitoring aimed at preventing torture and ill-treatment.

During the visit, the four-member delegation is expected to hold discussions at ministerial level and engage with senior officials of relevant government ministries, departments and institutions.

The delegation is also scheduled to meet representatives of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and members of civil society.

According to the Ministry, the Government will engage with the visiting delegation in an open, constructive and transparent manner, in line with its policy of continued engagement with the United Nations and in fulfilment of treaty obligations voluntarily undertaken under relevant international instruments and in accordance with the Constitution.

The delegation will be headed by Aisha Shujune Muhammad of the Maldives and comprise Jakub Julian Czepek of Poland, Anica Tomsic of Croatia and Nika Kvaratskhelia of Georgia.

Officials attached to the SPT Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, will accompany the delegation.

The Ministry said the visit would be conducted in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture.