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POIASL renews call to lift oil palm cultivation ban

Published

7 months ago

December 6, 2024

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The Palm Oil Industry Association of Sri Lanka (POIASL) has urged the Government to reconsider the 2021 ban on oil palm cultivation, citing its economic, environmental, and strategic benefits.

Speaking at the association’s fifth AGM, President Dr. Rohan Fernando criticized the ban as an “ill-conceived decision” lacking scientific basis, driven by vested interests. He emphasized that oil palm is the most efficient vegetable oil crop, meeting over 40% of global demand.

Fernando argued that expanding oil palm cultivation could reduce edible oil imports, save foreign exchange, and create jobs. He highlighted India’s accelerated oil palm expansion as a model and called for collaboration with major producers like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

The AGM concluded optimistically, with hopes that the new administration will reconsider the ban to align with its goals of food security, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.

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Cabinet sub committee to study Middle East situation

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

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A Cabinet sub-committee has been appointed on June 23 to study the current situation in the Middle East.

Chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism – Vijitha Herath, the ministers Wasantha Samarasinghe, Kumara Jayakody and Samantha Vidyarathna have been named as the other committee members.

Additionally, a committee of ministry secretaries have been appointed.

Meanwhile, speaking to media, Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure – Samantha Vidyarathna has said that the Government will take all possible measures to minimise the impact that the Israel-Iran conflict will have on local businesses, the country’s economy and the daily lives of all Sri Lankans.

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This week’s Cabinet decisions

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

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A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held on June 23.

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

Cabinet decisions Download

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Youth dies after being beaten with a helmet

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2025

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A young man has died after being assaulted with a helmet during an altercation in Halwathura, Bulathsinhala.

Police said the incident occurred following an argument between the victim and another individual.

The victim was initially admitted to Horana Hospital, later transferred to Colombo National Hospital, and then returned to Horana Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased is a 30-year-old resident of Halwathura, Bulathsinhala, police said.

A 23-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident, and investigations are underway by the Bulathsinhala Police.