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Farmers to get TSP fertilizer at lower prices for Yala season

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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.

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Israel agrees to ceasefire proposal

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The Israeli government has said it agreed to the ceasefire proposal after “achieving the objectives” of its attacks on Iran.
According to the statement, Israel has removed Iran’s “dual immediate existential threat” from nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

It also says Israel has “inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets”.

The statement goes on to say that Israeli forces, in the last day, have “severely struck government targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating hundreds of Basij operatives” – a militia the Iranian government often uses to suppress protests – and “eliminating another senior nuclear scientist”.

“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” the statement adds.

Earlier, Iran state TV news channel IRINN says a ceasefire has been “imposed” on Israel following the “successful” Iranian attack on the US base in Qatar.

State TV said in a statement that Trump “begged” for a ceasefire following Iran’s attack. The statement was read aloud by the presenter.

The statement also hailed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Army and praised the “resistance” of Iranians.

The statement also called Iran’s attack on the US base in Qatar as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “successful” response to the US attacking three Iranian nuclear sites, while Qatar said all missiles were intercepted.

(Excerpts : BBC News)

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3 including Consultant neurosurgeon, further remanded

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (June 24) rejected the bail applications of 03 suspects, including Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne – a consultant neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, who were who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate – Thanuja Lakmali ordered that the suspects be further remanded until July 08.

The three suspects were arrested on June 17 in connection with the alleged sale of medicines at higher prices through a third party.

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Colombo Central Bus Stand to be upgraded

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In line with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, the government plans to upgrade the Colombo Central Bus Stand within the next year.

In line with the same initiative, 50 major bus stands nationwide are scheduled for renovation, with assistance from the Sri Lanka Air Force.  

The renovation of the Colombo Central Bus Stand will include the refurbishment of key facilities such as the canteen, rest area, ticket counters, administrative unit, operations room and driver quarters.

Established in 1964, the Colombo Central Bus Stand spans 1.42 hectares and currently handles between 1,500 to 2,000 buses daily.

These details were revealed during a discussion held yesterday (June 23) at the Presidential Secretariat on the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary of Defence, Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force and other government officials.

(President’s Media Division)

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