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India imposes 40% export duty on onions to calm rising prices

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India will impose with immediate effect a 40% export duty on onions up to Dec. 31 in an attempt to improve domestic availability of the vegetable, the ministry of finance said in a notification on Saturday.

The duty imposed by the world’s biggest exporter of onions will help New Delhi dampen local prices ahead of key state elections later this year but will force Asian buyers to shell out more, as other regional exporters have limited supplies.

“The export duty will make Indian onions more expensive than those from Pakistan, China, and Egypt. This will naturally lead to lower exports and aid in reducing local prices,” said Ajit Shah, an exporter based in Mumbai.

Average wholesale onion price in key markets has jumped nearly 20% from July to August, to 2,400 rupees ($28.87) per 100 kg on concerns that erratic rainfall would lead to lower yields.

India is heading for its driest August in more than a century, with scant rainfall likely to persist across large areas, partly because of the El Niño weather pattern, two weather department officials told Reuters on Friday.

“Onions harvested during the summer months are rotting quickly, and the new supplies are being delayed. This situation has prompted the government to take precautionary measures,” said another Mumbai-based exporter.

India’s onion exports in the first half of 2023 jumped 63% from a year ago to 1.46 million metric tons.

Countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka rely on Indian shipments.

Onions are used as the base for traditional dishes across Asia such as biryani in Pakistan and India, belacan in Malaysia and fish curry in Bangladesh.

“The Indian duty would prompt China and Pakistan to raise prices, as they have a limited surplus for exports,” said the second exporter.

India’s annual retail inflation (INCPIY=ECI) in July rose to its highest in 15 months as vegetable and cereals prices skyrocketed, putting pressure on the government to take action to bring down prices.

India surprised buyers last month by imposing a ban on widely consumed non-basmati white rice sales to dampen price rises.

Source: Reuters

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Vesak week commences tomorrow

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The National Vesak Week will commence tomorrow (May 09), under this year’s theme of “Let’s associate with noble people with good qualities.”

According to the secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera said that it will continue until May 16.

The official inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Center, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services during the Vesak week and the long weekend.

Meanhwile, the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat vendors, casinos, and clubs nationwide from May 12 – 14 May for the state Vesak Festival. 

A circular issued on April 29 instructs all relevant businesses to comply during the period.

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79 shooting incidents in last 7 months

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79 shooting incidents have been taken place in Sri Lanka over the past 07 months, resulting in 52 deaths and 260 arrests, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (May 09).

The shootings had occurred in the 07 months from September 21, 2024 until May 08, 2025. 

According to the minister, the shootings had left 35 injured as well.

62 of the incidents were linked to organized criminal gangs, while 17 were classified as other types of shootings, he added.

Of the 260 arrested, 229 were connected directly to organized crime, the minister further noted.

Minister Wijepala said the government has taken high-level decisions in this regard, and that it is unacceptable to claim that there has been a serious increase in shootings since the NPP government came to power.

“When we study these shootings, we will not see a significant increase from 2022, 2023, or 2024. But we do not trivialise any shooting. We treat every human life with value. Therefore, we have taken the highest decisions we can take as a government to suppress the underworld,” he emphasised.

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Teacher accused of molesting Kotahena schoolgirl sent on compulsory leave

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The Ministry of Education says that the teacher allegedly involved in the incident of molesting the schoolgirl from Kotahena has been sent on compulsory leave after receiving a police ‘B report’. 

The Secretary to the Education Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, states that steps have also been taken to hold an internal inquiry into the incident.

Accordingly, the teacher involved in the incident will be placed on compulsory leave in accordance with Section 27:9 of Chapter XLVIII, Part II of the Establishments Code.

The Ministry also states that a preliminary investigation into the incident is currently underway, and that formal disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the report is received.

Furthermore, the Ministry has launched an internal investigation to determine whether any parties neglected their duties and responsibilities in connection with the entire incident.

On May 08, a group of parents and students staged a protest opposite the school in Bambalapitiya alleging that a teacher had sexually assaulted the student, which led to the girl’s death by suicide.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education had called for an explanation from the school’s principal.

In a previous statement, the Ministry had said that the teacher in question was transferred, and disciplinary action will be taken based on the investigations conducted by the police.

On the same day, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that she had requested the parents of the Grade 10 student—who reportedly died by suicide following the alleged sexual assault by a teacher—to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). However, she noted that the complaint had not been filed as of yet.

The Minister’s comments came in response to allegations made by MP Mano Ganesan, who questioned whether government action had been delayed because the owner of the tuition center—where the student was allegedly verbally abused again after the incident—is affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP).

(adaderana.lk)

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

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