News

Farmers to get TSP fertilizer at lower prices for Yala season

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

editor

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera attended a discussion on agriculture issues held at the Presidential Secretariat, where he announced plans to provide Mada Pohora (TSP) to farmers at a lower price than the current market rate for the upcoming Yala season, through a gazette notification.

The discussion addressed various agriculture-related topics, including fertilization strategies, paddy marketing issues, and the prevention of yellowing in paddy cultivation. The Department of Agriculture revealed that the reduction in the use of Mada Pohora (TSP) is the main cause of yellowing in paddy cultivation. To prevent this disease in the upcoming Yala season, measures will be taken to increase the use of Mada Pohora (TSP).

The discussion also highlighted the different viewpoints promoted by organic and chemical fertilizer companies, and the importance of reaching a common viewpoint was emphasized by various scholars and institutions. Special attention was given to the use of fertilizer in the upcoming Yala season, and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake stressed the importance of providing farmers with the opportunity to purchase fertilizer at a lower rate than the previous season. Representatives from fertilizer companies suggested that the Agriculture Department should recommend suitable crops and agricultural inputs to farmers to increase their production at a lower cost.

During the discussion, the Minister of Agriculture noted that despite the challenges faced by farmers, they were able to produce a better paddy harvest in the last Yala and Maha seasons in line with market requirements. The possibility of selling old rice in warehouses as animal feed was also discussed, with the potential to increase the price of rice and decrease the prices of eggs and chicken in the market.

The discussion was attended by various officials, including the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayake, and President’s Adviser on Food Security, Suren Batagoda. Other participants included Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security A.M.P.M.B. Athapattu, Director General of the Department of Agriculture P. Malathi, Director General of the Consumer Affairs Authority, and representatives of organic and chemical fertilizer companies.

News

Showers expected after 2pm

Published

57 mins ago

April 25, 2024

editor

Showers or thundershowers can be expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces after 2 p.m., the Department of Meteorology says.

Showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the morning.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces in the morning.

The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Sea areas:

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Pottuvil to Matara via Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle in the evening or night.

Winds will be south-easterly or variable and wind speed will be 20-30 kmph.

Sea areas around the island will be slight.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

News

Man who jumped off from Sri Pada, found alive

Published

1 hour ago

April 25, 2024

editor

Nallathanniya Police said that the 33-year old Sri Pada pilgrim who went missing after jumping off the protective fence at the Mahamaluwa was found yesterday evening.

An official of the Nallathanniya Police Station said that this person in question is among a group of pilgrims from Suriyawewa, Hambantota who climbed Sri Pada mountain on April 19.

He had participated in religious observances before jumping off the protective fence at Mahamaluwa and thereafter went missing.

Security personnel from the Laxapana Army camp and Ricarton, STF camp in Nallathanniya launched an operation to trace the missing youth. But they couldn’t find him.

But a group of people from the Rajamale estate had informed the Nallathanniya Police about the recovery of a missing person yesterday. Nallathanniya Police took the man who was injured and admitted him to the Maskeliya Regional Hospital.

He was later transferred to Dickoya Hospital for further treatments.

The individual, Dinesh Hemantha, has informed the police that he cannot remember the incident involving leaping from the Mahamaluwa.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

O/L tuition classes banned from May 1st

Published

2 hours ago

April 25, 2024

editor

The Department of Examinations has announced the prohibition of tuition classes and seminars for the 2023 GCE Ordinary Level exam, effective from midnight on the 30th of April.

Deputy Commissioner of Examinations, Lasika Samarakoon, emphasized that strict measures will be taken against individuals found violating this regulation.

Preparations are underway for the GCE O/Level exam scheduled to take place from May 6-15.

Additionally, the Department of Examinations has revealed that the results of the recently concluded GCE Advanced Level examination will be released in May.