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New survey finds country has enough phosphate deposits for 100 years

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By Ifham Nizam

A new survey confirms that the Eppawala phosphate deposit, covering an area of four square kilometers, contains 25 million tonnes of the raw material enough to meet the country’s needs for 100 years.

The new survey was carried out to make effective use of this natural phosphate deposit here to provide phosphate fertiliser for organic agriculture, implemented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and steps would be taken to submit the report to the Cabinet and Parliament, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Amaraweera said that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) had conducted extensive exploration, in response to a court order, on the Eppawala phosphate deposit.

GSMB has completed the extensive research carried out by three teams of geologists. GSMB, the Ministry of Environment as well as the Ministry of Industries contributed to it. GSMB spent Rs. 16 million on the survey.

It has been identified that although there are several phosphate deposits in our country, only the Eppawala phosphate deposit is economically viable. Accordingly, there are two zones in this phosphate deposit, the northern part and the southern part.

The report states that the government has been spending about nine billion rupees annually on the importation of TSP fertiliser. “But we can save this amount through the proper use of this phosphate deposit. Although the heavy metal cadmium is abundant in chemical Triple Super Phosphate fertilizers, the Eppawala phosphate deposit is a natural fertilizer deposit and contains very little Cadmium,” Amaraweera said.

Eighty-five percent of the phosphate in the Eppawala deposit is currently used to mix TSP fertilisers. The natural phosphate fertiliser could also be exported as a value-added product, he said.



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Holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world

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A Palestinian girl cleans the stone floor of the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary in front of the Dome of the Rock, as part of preparations for the holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem's Old City (pic Aljazeera)

Aljazeera reported that the holy month of Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. They are also encouraged to refrain from cursing, fighting, gossiping and road rage throughout the holy month.

Muslims believe God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for all Muslims, though exceptions are made for young children and the sick, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Travelers are also exempt, including athletes attending tournaments away from home.

 

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Sri Lanka will have best anti-corruption law in South Asia soon – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of media organization on Thursday (23),  that  necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon

The President revealed that cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.

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Public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector in the future – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been lost and  noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.

President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).

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