News
Seven sub-committees to carry out specific tasks to enable SL to face climate change
By Ifham Nizam
Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has appointed seven Sub-Committees on Organic Fertiliser Production; Quality Control and Supply Network Management; Underutilised Land Development; Organic Crop Growers and Food Producers and Indigenous Market Creation; Renewable Energy and Electric Transport Promotion; Forest and Pollution Reduction, Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Biodiversity; and Green Finance and International Cooperation.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Presidential Task Force on Transforming Sri Lanka Facing Climate Change had decided to prioritise the provision of organic fertiliser to farmers without a shortage for the next Maha season,.
Amaraweera, who is the new Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Transforming Sri Lanka Facing Climate Change, chaired its first Ministerial Meeting at the Ministry of Environment on Monday. Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, Janaka Wakkumbura, Arundika Fernando, participated live while Ministers Shashindra Rajapaksa and Mohan Silva through ZOOM technology and officials also participated in the discussion.
The first discussion focused on providing fertiliser to the farming community during the 2021 Maha season. Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa informed the Task Force that the government would produce enough organic fertiliser.
Minister Duminda Dissanayake inquired whether the government had made it mandatory for compost fertiliser to contain Nitrogen at the level of 3%. Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa said that no such decision had been taken and that even if 01 percent Nitrogen was present, it could be used as compost. He added that it was possible to increase the nitrogen content of composts with a booster.
Rajapaksa said the government was ready to buy compost produced by farmers. He said the import of Murate of Potash (MOP) required for coconut cultivation would be permitted.
Amaraweera said that the Ministry of Environment was experimenting with the production of organic fertiliser, insecticides and herbicides using invasive plants such as Kalapu Andara (Proposopis Juliflora) and Giant Nidikumba (Mimosa Pigra) in the forests of the country.
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.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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.
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.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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