To address policy decisions related to ensuring food security, the Food Policy and Security Committee, chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha, along with Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, convened a meeting for the first time on Wednesday (22) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The primary objective of the Food Policy and Security Committee is to take necessary actions to implement the government’s policy of ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable food system for all citizens.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that accurate data and information are essential for making informed policy decisions related to food security. The government highlighted that it is unwilling to take risks by making decisions without reliable data. Consequently, establishing a robust data and information system has been identified as a top priority.

The Minister of Agriculture further highlighted the need to provide rice not only for direct consumption but also as an essential resource for industries such as poultry, egg production and beer manufacturing, all of which contribute to human consumption. He stressed the importance of considering these needs in the implementation of the government’s progressive agricultural policies.
Additionally, the Minister emphasized the necessity of studying the country’s food consumption patterns to foster a healthier population and minimize food waste. He advised committee members to take appropriate steps in this regard.

Several key areas were discussed, including the establishment of a national food security policy framework, the maintenance of an essential food information system, the formulation of new strategies aligned with internationally recognized standards and the development of plans to increase and distribute local production based on scientific evidence. The discussions also addressed food security, food pricing and market management.

The meeting was attended by committee members, including Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, and other ministerial secretaries.

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that a country cannot progress solely through laws and regulations and highlighted that tradition is a vital component of a nation.

President Disanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka has accomplished a remarkable mission through the traditions built on Buddhism and that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard these Buddhist traditions and pass them down securely to future generations.
The President expressed these views during a discussion held on Wednesday (22) at the Presidential Secretariat on the 74th Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ ceremony of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya.

The President, recalling the historical significance of the Upasampada Vinaya Karma, a major ceremony in Buddhism, stated that the cessation of ordained monks (Upasampada Bhikkhus) would mean the dissolution of the Buddhist institution itself. He emphasized the importance of preserving these ancient traditions and carrying them forward with honour.

The national Upasampada Vinaya Karma ceremony, organized biennially by the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya, is scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 5, 2025, at the Punyawardhanarama Viharaya in Vijithapura, Palugaswewa, within the Udakukkhepa Sima Malakaya.

This grand ceremony at which over 250 novice monks (Samanera), are to be ordained will be conducted under state sponsorship and  the President instructed officials to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided without any shortcomings.

The discussion was attended by prominent figures, including the Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero, the highest prelate of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya of the Sangha ancestry of Mahavihara; Most Venerable Professor Aththangane Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, Supreme Judicial Leader of Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya; the Anu Nayaka Theros, Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thero and Most Venerable Ankumbure Premavansa Thero; along with the Maha Sangha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; former High Court Justice and Governor of the North Central Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya; Secretary of the Rāmañña Nikayarakshaka Sabha and former Member of Parliament Lasantha Alagiyawanna, among others.

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Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) has complained of what it calls the dire state of Sri Lanka’s domestic aviation industry, citing systemic failures, regulatory incompetence, and a lack of adherence to international standards by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

The AOOA, at a media briefing on Tuesday, highlighted critical safety concerns, operational inefficiencies, and the potential collapse of the industry if immediate corrective actions were not taken.

The AOOA raised serious concerns about the concrete boundary wall at the Galle Road end of Colombo’s Ratmalana Airport, posing a significant risk to aircraft operations. The wall, constructed in 2006/07 in violation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, remained in place despite repeated warnings from the Association. The AOOA pointed to the tragic Jeju aircraft crash in South Korea on December 29, 2024, where 179 lives were lost due to a similar concrete wall structure, as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by such obstructions.

The Association noted that the wall, currently leased for commercial advertising, should be replaced with a frangible fence as per ICAO standards. Despite instructions from Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake to remove the wall, the Director General of CAASL has failed to act, demonstrating what the AOOA describes as “professional incompetence and a lack of understanding of civil aviation procedures.”

The AOOA criticized the CAASL for its inability to address critical issues outlined in two key reports: the 2018 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and the October 2023 report by the Organisation of Professionals Association (OPA). The ICAO audit highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive review of national aviation regulations to align with international standards, while the OPA report accused the CAASL, Airport and Aviation Services (AASL), and the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) of being “obstructive rather than facilitative” due to the employment of unqualified and inefficient personnel.

The Association also highlighted the lack of licensed and experienced inspectors within the CAASL, who often issued directives contrary to manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices. This has forced operators to educate regulators, resulting in costly delays and operational inefficiencies. “The domestic aviation industry, already struggling, faces further challenges due to prohibitive costs and regulatory hurdles,” The AOOA has noted that the price of a domestic return ticket to Sigiriya is nearly equivalent to a Colombo-Singapore international flight, making Sri Lanka uncompetitive in attracting high-end tourists. The grounding of the entire domestic fleet in 2022 due to impractical insurance requirements drafted by the CAASL further exacerbated the situation, causing irreparable damage to the industry.

Additionally, delays in addressing duty-free import processes for aircraft spares have increased operating costs, making flight training and operations prohibitively expensive. The Colombo Flying Club, a hub for leisure aviation, has also been rendered non-operational due to unrealistic maintenance standards imposed by the CAASL.

The AOOA has urged the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation to take immediate corrective action, including implementing the recommendations of the ICAO audit and OPA report. Failure to do so, the Association warned, could lead to the withdrawal of investments and the permanent collapse of the domestic aviation sector.

The Association emphasised its commitment to partnering with the tourism industry to revitalize domestic aviation. However, without urgent reforms, Sri Lanka risks falling further behind regional competitors like the Maldives, which boasts a thriving domestic aviation sector with over 350 aircraft, compared to Sri Lanka’s meager fleet of fewer than 30.