News

Govt. land in H’tota leased for brackish water shrimp farming

Published

1 month ago

August 8, 2023

editor

Shrimp farming is one of the main commercial aquaculture practices in Sri Lanka. This has resulted in a production of 14,414 metric tonness in the year 2021 and it is aimed to increase the production to 50,000 metric tonnes by the year 2025 to earn a foreign exchange of 65500 million rupees thereby.

However, the available land in the country that can be used for aquaculture is limited and this has become a challenge for the further expansion of commercial aquaculture.

The National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka has taken many steps to face this challenge.

One of them is the introduction of modern technology that can achieve high productivity in a limited space.

Accordingly, 218 acres and 30 perches of land belonging to the government located in Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat Area of Hambantota district has been identified as suitable for Vannamei shrimp cultivation which can complete a culture cycle in a short period of time.

As such, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Tourism and Lands to provide this land to W.S.R. Lowe & K.M.N. Aqua Services (Pvt.) Ltd. and Rainbow Foods (Pvt.) Ltd, which have been selected following the government procurement process, 109 acres and 015 perches each, on a long lease basis for a period of 30 years based on the assessment of the government assessor.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

42 mins ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.