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National Agriculture Policy to be formulated  soon

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5 years ago

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Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage says that a National Agriculture policy would be formulated within the next three months.

The Agriculture Ministry has, in a media statement, said that an expert committee appointed to formulate a National Agriculture Policy met for the first time on Saturday (18) at the Gannoruwa Horticultural Crops Research Institute.

The 13-member committee consists of experts in various fields, including experts in the field of agriculture. The committee is chaired by Dr. Ajantha de Silva, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Its other members are: Director General of Agriculture Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon, Agrarian Development Commissioner General W.M.M.B. Weerasekara, Sabaragamuwa University Professor P.I. Yapa, Senior Professor Buddhi Marambe, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Palitha Weerakkody, Vice Chancellor of Wayamba University, Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe, University of Peradeniya, Professor M.B. Rathnathilaka, Dr. B.V.R. Punyawardena, Dr. D.S. Kuruppuarachchi, Dr. Yasintha Mapatuna and Dr. Rizvi Sahid.

This committee includes the Chairman of the National Federation of Farmers’ Organizations SMG Samarakoon to represent the farming community.

Minister Aluthgamage requested the committee to formulate the National Agriculture Policy in the interest of the nation within three months disregarding political differences or any other influence.

Pointing out that during his tenure as the Minister of Sports in 2010, he had introduced a national policy for sports and that it had brought about a tremendous positive change in the field of sports in the country.

The Minister pointed out that the National Agriculture Policy was essential for the development of a productive economy as well as a self-sufficient economy from non-toxic food mentioned in the Vision of Prosperity instead of an import economy.

Pointing out that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also has a keen interest in implementing a national agricultural policy that doesn’t change with governments, Minister Aluthgamage requested the expert committee to provide the necessary support to the government.

The Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe stated that the National Agriculture Policy was formulated in 2003, 2007 and 2010 also but it did not become a reality.

Instead of downloading an agricultural policy in Canada, Israel or any other country through the internet and presenting it as ours, a national agricultural policy that suits the country, including localism, environment, health, our farming people, new technology, and making the farmer an entrepreneur, was essential, Prof. Jayasinghe said.

He pointed out that the expert committee should meet once a month or at an appropriate time interval to take decisions on agriculture and not just limit to formulating a national agricultural policy

Prof. P.I. Yapa noted that a large portion of money from the farmer’s production is spent to buy fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides as well as seeds and suggested that the new policy should include the local production of those needs.

He said that such measures should be taken in the national interest of the country in order to save a large amount of money leaving the country and to enrich the hands of the farmer.

SMG Samarakoon, Chairman of the National Agrarian Federation, representing the committee on behalf of the farmers said that throughout history there had been a problem in directing the views, suggestions and problems of the grassroots farmer to the administration.

Minister Aluthgamage instructed the Chairman of the National Agrarian Federation to file the views of the farmer and present to the committee and said  that all relevant assistance would be provided.

The expert committee pointed out to the Minister that building an agro-based economy was a timely need. The Committee of Experts was of the view that a National Policy on Agriculture should be formulated with an understanding of the chain from producer to consumer.

The Minister said that a number of programmes including the establishment of an Organic Fertilizer Authority, arming the country with seed production, making the country self-sufficient in 16 crops, enriching the farmer with agro-technology and agro-export villages were already in operation.

He said that before the Committee of Experts appointed to formulate a National Policy for Agriculture that his sole objective was to expedite the adoption of the National Agriculture Policy in the national interest for a common purpose and that he was ready to provide the necessary government intervention and assistance.

The Expert Committee agreed to gather and discuss information covering all sectors and to formulate a successful National Agriculture Policy for the future of the country and stated that it was ready to finalize it expeditiously.

Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Retired Major General Sumedha Perera was also present at the special discussion.


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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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2 hours ago

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2026/05/5

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.


Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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7 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

7 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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