Workers of Lonach Farm in Watawala, Ginigathhena, had staged a protest demonstration on March 14, alleging that the farm management was selling tainted beef to butchers in the area.
The farm is operated by Watawala Dairy Pvt. Ltd. It is a subsidiary of Sunshine Holdings, which was recently embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that they had sold a drug to the Ministry of Health at a massive rip off price in 2023.
They accuse that the tainted meat was that of ailing cattle that were either dying or dead.
Although the farm had previously taken measures to properly dispose of carcasses when animals had died from diseases, under the current management, tainted meat is currently ending up at local butcher stalls, putting the community at risk, they point out.
Two truck loads of such ailing cattle had been taken to the slaughterhouse in the Bogawantalawa new town area during the wee hours of March 14 with one truck caught red handed by the workers.
The workers say that the cattle was transported by the management by altering the date of a cattle transport permit, which was previously set for March 12.
Police officers from Norton Bridge, who had arrived at the venue of the protest, had inspected the truck stopped by the workers. Upon the request of the police officers, the animals inside were taken back to the farm.
An investigation has been initiated after workers had photographed the rest of the cattle taken to the slaughterhouse and informed the police and PHI.
Background of Lonach Farm
Built by Watawala Dairy Limited (WDL), Lonach is a state-of-the-art dairy farm which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Watawala Plantations.
A Board of Investment (BOI) registered project, it is situated on a 50-hectare site in Watawala, Ginigathhena.
The project commenced in March 2016 as a pilot project called ‘Lonach Farm’ with 120 cattle, three cow houses and a milking parlour.
Watawala Dairy Limited imported 246 heifers directly from Australia and New Zealand in 2018, and 928 cows were purchased from the Government of Sri Lanka in 2017 at a concessionary price under an agreement to develop the local dairy industry. However, much of the heifers imported in this manner at a concessionary price had contracted illnesses such as hoof diseases, sparking much controversy back then.
However, much of the heifers imported in this manner at a concessionary price had contracted illnesses such as hoof diseases, sparking much controversy back then.
Oil prices fell sharply to their lowest in more than a week on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump said a ceasefire has been agreed between Iran and Israel, alleviating worries of supply disruptions in the Middle East – a major oil-producing region. Brent crude futures were down $2.08, or 2.9%, at $69.40 a barrel around 0330 GMT, after earlier tumbling more than 4% and touching its lowest level since June 11.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined $2.03, or 3.0%, to $66.48 per barrel, having dived 6% to its weakest level since June 9 earlier in the session.
Deputy General Manager of Development Banking and Branch Credit Operations of Bank of Ceylon (BOC) R.M.N. Jeewantha said that the Bank Has introduced a special programme to create new entrepreneurs for the country from young people with a business idea.
He stated that the basic requirement for becoming an entrepreneur is to have an entrepreneurial idea, and that the bank provides all other advisory services including financial and non-financial facilities required to become a successful entrepreneur.
He stated this at the Bank of Ceylon headquarters while participating in a special discussion with the Daily News newspaper on Friday (20).
“We provide all the resources, facilities and advice required for the young people who come in this way to practically implement their business ideas. Last year, this programme created 15,000 new young entrepreneurs for the country. This year, our aim is to bequeath another group of young people to the country. The bank is ready to provide Rs 10 billion rupees as the initial capital required for this group,” he said.
The bank provides an initial capital of Rs. 500,000 for the new start-up at the initial stage without any securities as no collateral is needed. He said that even for a person already engaged in a business, the bank will provide the necessary support free of charge to develop that business, sell products, introduce new products, and enter the export market. Accordingly, any person under the age of thirty can come to the bank’s SME Circle and receive the necessary advice and financial facilities to develop as an entrepreneur.
“Anyone under the age of thirty who has a business idea should come to the bank. The bank is ready to provide Rs. 500,000 as initial capital for such start-ups at a low interest rate of seven percent. They also do not need collateral,” he added.
(dailynews.lk) (This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
Chairman of the All-Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association, R.M. Sarath Rathnayake has said new measures to announce daily standardized egg prices will be introduced from next Monday (June 23) to ensure fair pricing for consumers.
The prices covering wholesale, retail, and intermediary rates will be communicated daily at 5.00am via SMS to small, medium, and large-scale egg producers, as well as bakery owners, food manufacturers, and hotels through the number 070-7030700.
He warned of recent practices where eggs were bought at Rs.15-18 and stockpiled, stating such actions will no longer be tolerated.
He also criticized groups posing as “egg associations” without actual farming experience.
The cost of producing an egg is around Rs.28 for large farms, Rs.29-30 for medium range farms, and Rs.32 for small-scale producers, he further said.