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Probe ordered into Agriculture Minister’s allegation Rs. 300 mn demanded from foreign investor for EIA on dairy farm

Published

3 years ago

2022/03/22

By Ifham Nizam

An investigation would be carried out into the allegation that Rs. 300 million was asked for to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for a dairy farm, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Minister Amaraweera said so in response to Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s recent allegation that the Ministry of Environment had asked for as much as Rs. 300 million from a foreign investor to to an EIA on a dairy farm to be set up.

The Environment Ministry never issued environmental assessment reports, and there were 63 private institutions registered with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) for issuing EIA Reports, Minister Amaraweera said.

Those activities were carried out by university intellectuals, Amaraweera added.

“I inquired about the statement made by Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. That is completely false statement. Neither the Ministry of Environment nor the Central Environmental Authority can make such a request. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will provide a list of institutions that carry out relevant monitoring activities upon request for an EIA report from the CEA.

The investor should choose from which institution to obtain the EIA report.”

Minster Amaraweera instructed the CEA to investigate and find out whether any institution had unjustly demanded Rs. 300 million for the release of an environmental report.

The Environment Ministry yesterday launched a programme to plant white sandalwood saplings near the entrance to the Defence Headquarters to mark the first anniversary of the Husma Dena Thuru tree-planting programme aimed at increasing the country’s forest cover.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and a number of officials from the Army Headquarters were also present on the occasion.

The Minister said: “World Forest Day falls today (21). The theme of this Day is “Forest Restoration, Healing and a Path to Existence. 21 March has been designated as World Forest Day by the United Nations General Assembly since 2012.

“Sri Lanka has been celebrating this day since 2014. Also, this program is being launched today to mark the first anniversary of the programme launched by the Ministry of Environment to increase the forest cover.

“Sri Lanka’s forest cover is currently 29.02%. To increase it to 30 percent by 2030, we need to reforest 65,000 hectares. Although the responsibility for forestation is not directly vested in the Ministry of Environment, we will shoulder that responsibility.

“We have allocated Rs. 50 million this year for the Husma Dena Thuru National Tree Planting Programme.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Army for its support for this programme. I have also done a number of programmes with the Army. I would like to mention that it was due to the unwavering commitment of the Army personnel, the Defence Minister, the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander that we were able to achieve success.”

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INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.

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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

Color: -Red Warning (Take action) Color: -Amber Advisory (Be prepared) Color: -Green Threat is over

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.

The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

Published

8 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.

The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.

The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.