News
Unions threaten to cripple port to foil bid to bring in contaminated fertiliser
By Saman Indrajith
Trade unions yesterday vowed that they would not let the ship carrying rejected Chinese fertilizer to unload at the Colombo Port. They said they were even ready to cripple the port for that purpose.
“We know that the government is doing everything in its power to take delivery of the stock of contaminated fertiliser, which is harmful to this country. Even if the government manages somehow to get this ship in, we’ll surround the port and cripple it,” General Secretary of the JVP-led All Ceylon General Ports Union Niroshan Gorakana told The Island yesterday.
Gorakana said that there were several unions including the ones affiliated to the SLPP and the SLFP in the Colombo Port and all of them had joined forces to protect the national interest. “Our political differences do not matter when the need arises for us to ward off threats to this country. We already have agreed to oppose China’s plan to acquire 13 acres of land belonging to the Colombo Port. We will launch a joint protest campaign on 03 Nov.”
Gorakana that the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) with an 18-meter depth now belonged to China. “In 2012Mahinda Rajapaksa handed it over to China for 35 years.
Basil Rajapaksa recently presented a Cabinet paper for handing over a 13-acre of land adjacent to the port to China for setting up an operational and service centre. So, even after the expiration of the lease, China will still have control there. We will let the government sell off our national assets or import anything harmful to this country.”
Meanwhile, former JVP MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, addressing the media at his party office in Kalutara yesterday, said that some to government officials were trying their level best to bring in the contaminated shipload of fertiliser. “The shipment of contaminated organic fertiliser produced by the Qingdao Seawin Biotech left China on 23 Sept., even before the test reports were released. They are transporting 20,000 metric tonnes. Now, the ship is in Sri Lankan waters but cannot officially enter a Sri Lanka port. In the meantime, several top officials are trying to get a test result from a third party to facilitate the delivery of the contaminated cargo. The local agent of Qingdao Seawin Biotech is a close relative of one of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s top officials. This company provided consultancy services to many Chinese funded projects. They have provided services to Chinese projects worth over USD seven billion in Sri Lanka prior to the 2015 regime change. So, it is clear now who wants the ship with contaminated fertiliser to enter this country,” Dr Jayatissa said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Lanka Premier League draft set to take place on March 22
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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