News

Nearly 1 million Sri Lankans suffer from malnutrition

Published

12 months ago

July 20, 2023

editor

Nearly 1 million children under the age of five and women in Sri Lanka suffer from malnutrition, a survey conducted covering all the nine provinces has revealed.

According to the survey, the number of malnourished people across the country is 971,888, including 300,746 children under the age of five and 671,142 women, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in Parliament.

The Western Province recorded the highest number of malnourished citizens including 85,847 children and 196,197 women.

Meanwhile, 30,393 malnourished children and 126,976 malnourished women were reported in the Central Province while 37,032 children and 79,254 women were reported in the Southern Province.

The Minister said that there are 47,765 children and 68,763 women suffering from malnutrition in the North Western Province and 19,067 children and 38,869 women in the North Central Province.

In addition, there are 18,278 children and 46,175 women in Uva province and 17,180 children and 54,394 women in Sabaragamuwa province who are suffering from malnutrition.

News

Bomb scare at Kandy Court complex

Published

12 mins ago

July 2, 2024

editor

A tense situation has arisen at the Kandy Court complex this morning (July 02) over a bomb scare.

Accordingly, the bomb disposal unit of Sri Lanka Army together with Sri Lanka Police commenced a special security operation within the court premises.

According to reports, all cases that were scheduled to be heard and the delivering of verdicts fixed for today at the Kandy Court complex have been postponed until July 16, 2024.

BIZ

Litro Gas reduces prices again

Published

15 mins ago

July 2, 2024

editor

The price of Litro domestic LP gas cylinders has been reduced with effect from midnight today (July 02), Chairman of Litro Gas – Muditha Peiris has said.

Accordingly, the price of the 12.5 kg cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 100 to Rs. 3,690.

The 05 kg cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 40 to Rs. 1,482

Meanwhile, the price of the 2.3 kg cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 18, bringing the new price to Rs. 694.

News

WFP provides 55,000 MT of MOP fertiliser free to farmers

Published

18 mins ago

July 2, 2024

editor

Under the guidance of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the World Food Programme has arranged to provide 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertiliser to the farmers of Sri Lanka free of charge, said Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

This stock of fertiliser is to be given for paddy cultivation in the next two cropping seasons. The Government will receive this stock of fertiliser from the World Food Programme.

The Minister emphasized this in a discussion held at the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry regarding the National Fertiliser Programme, yesterday (01).

Due to the non-application of MOP fertiliser, which is an essential fertiliser for paddy cultivation, yellowing of the paddy cultivation occurs; also, the panicles fail to grow properly. It has been found that many farmers do not use MOP fertiliser for paddy cultivation and only 400 metric tons have been sold in this Yala season.

The price of MOP fertiliser was at a high level of Rs. 14,000 and Minister Amaraweera was advised to reduce this price to Rs. 9,000 by the government owned fertiliser companies. Accordingly, since the last Maha season, MOP fertiliser has been sold at the price of Rs. 9,000.

However, it is estimated that Rs. 3.5 billion will be spent on VAT and operational fees for the fertiliser distribution. Of this, Rs. 1.1 billion will have to be spent as utility costs and Rs. 2.4 billion as VAT. Minister Amaraweera said that the approval of the Cabinet has been obtained to receive this amount.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)