News
Pavithra blames spike in cancer and kidney diseases on toxic agricultural inputs
By Saman Indrajith
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament yesterday that 239,000 persons were stricken with cancer and kidney diseases every year owing to the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and weedicide in this country.
Annually 75,000 new cancer patients and new 164,000 kidney patients were diagnosed.
The Health Minister said that 6,000 persons died of chronic kidney diseases every year while 54 persons died daily of various cancers caused by chemical substances used as inputs in agriculture. There is an increasing trend of 30,000 cancer cases being detected annually during the recent years.
Minister Wanniarachchi said that agricultural and health experts and scientists had reported on numerous occasions that the main cause of upsurge of cancer and chronic kidney cases was the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, making a ministerial statement in Parliament, requested all MPs to promote the use of organic fertilisers in agriculture without politicising the issue.
“This organic fertiliser promotion project should not be politicised. There are enough stocks of fertilisers. We have reports that some traders are hoarding fertiliser. The statistics show that the need for chemical fertiliser has increased by 300 percent, but the problem is that there has been no corresponding increase in the produce output. We have noticed the abuse of chemical fertiliser usage in the country. We’ll solve that problem and supply the required fertilisers for the upcoming Maha Season.”
Latest News
“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination.
Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
The Court of Appeal this [17] morning dismissed the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him.
Harvard offers free tuition to families earning less than $200,000
Canada’s Carney makes statement by choosing Europe, not US, for first foreign trip
Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
Features5 days agoRichard de Zoysa at 67
-
News6 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Editorial7 days agoGhosts refusing to fade away
-
Midweek Review6 days agoRanil in Head-to-Head controversy
-
Features5 days agoSL Navy helping save kidneys
-
Features7 days agoThe Gypsies…one year at a time
-
News3 days agoDPMC unveils brand-new Bajaj three-wheeler