News
Only tea factories that meet standards will be allowed to produce for export
By Saman Indrajith
Standards of tea factories producing for export will be assessed, and only those who scored more than 80 percent of marks in a standards test would be given permits to export tea, Plantations Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana has said.
He said so in response to a question raised by MP Udayana Kirindiyagoda at the parliamentary consultative committee held at the parliamentary complex on Thursday (Nov 26).
The Minister said that the quality could not be controlled without strict maintenance of standards.
He said that the assessment process had already started, and 30 factories in Ambalangoda had been inspected but only two factories had been given the permits and similarly 172 factories in Gampola had been inspected, but only 26 had passed the standards test to qualify for the export permit, the Minister said.
He said that the factory owners had been given seven days to transport the processed tea and that had been brought down to two days and the process was completed under the supervision of the officials from the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Minister Pathirana said that the rubber prices had increased and the ministry had paid attention to developing the rubber industry. He said that a tyre factory would be set up at Hambantota at a cost of USD 300 million and rubber producers could supply their rubber to that factory.
US Ambassador Julie Chung commissioned new radiation detection equipment provided by the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD), through its Megaports Initiative at the Port of Colombo recently.
The equipment, valued at approximately $500,000 (Rs. 148 million), will be used at the Port of Colombo’s West Container Terminal to detect and alert authorities to the presence of radioactive materials, supporting Sri Lanka’s national port security regulations, strengthening global supply chain security and extending America’s security perimeter by detecting threats at key transit hubs before they reach US or international shores.
Senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board joined the commissioning ceremony and partnered with US experts to train Sri Lankan instructors and maintenance technicians.
News
Lyceum Intl School Wattala swimmers shine in Melbourne Training and Cultural Exchange Programme
A group of 15 young swimmers from Lyceum International School Wattala, along with four coaches and three parent representatives, recently completed an enriching 11-day swimming training and cultural exchange programme in Melbourne, Australia.
The programme, organised in collaboration with Global Integrated Sports & Education Pvt. Ltd (Global-ISE) and Swimming Victoria, gave students the opportunity to train at Melbourne’s premier venues, including the prestigious Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) and Swimming Victoria-affiliated facilities, like Camberwell Grammar and Nunawading.
In addition to their athletic development, the swimmers participated in educational visits to top universities, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Deakin University, where they learned about future academic opportunities.
Cultural highlights included tours of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Victorian Parliament, and iconic sites like the Dandenong Ranges and Chadstone Shopping Centre.
The programme culminated with a special ceremony on April 23 at the Spicy Wicket Restaurant, where the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, Pradeepa de Saram, presented certificates of achievement to the participants, celebrating their dedication and success throughout the programme.
Dearo Investment Ltd. was honoured with three top awards at the Business World International Awards 2025: Best MSME Finance Company of the Year, Best Project Finance Company of the Year, and Best Entrepreneur Finance Company of the Year. The awards were presented to Prasanna Sanjeewa, CEO and Managing Director of Dearo Investment, said a release.
It said: The company, known for its comprehensive financial services and innovative digital solutions, has built a solid reputation in supporting SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs. With over 30 branches nationwide and a focus on empowering the MSME sector, Dearo Investment continues to expand its reach, offering services across various industries including finance, agriculture, tourism, and IT. Under Sanjeewa’s leadership, the company remains dedicated to fostering business growth and community development.
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