News

India increases grant allocation for nine HICDP projects

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2023

editor

The Government of India (GOI) has increased the financial allocation for various grant projects being implemented in the country.

Financial allocation has been increased by upto 50% in case of nine ongoing projects which are being executed under the India-Sri Lanka High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) framework.

The overall financial commitment for these nine projects currently stands at close to Rs.3 billion, after the increase. These projects cut across sectors ranging from education and health to agriculture, among others.

GOI has completed more than 60 grant projects under the HICDP framework, covering all the 25 Districts of Sri Lanka. In addition, 20 other projects are under different stages of implementation. The HICDP framework was signed between the two countries in 2005 and subsequently renewed thrice, for a period of five years each time. GOI also doubled the ceilings for individual projects as well as the overall financial capital outlay under the framework in January 2023.

GOI’s overall development cooperation partnership portfolio in Sri Lanka is around US$ 5 billion, of which US$ 600 million is grant. Demand-driven and people-centric projects carried out by GOI span across areas such as infrastructure development, housing and livelihood assistance. The 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service, Railway Track rehabilitation, Integrated Water Plants, Indian Housing Project and the Jaffna Cultural Centre are among the projects completed by GOI in Sri Lanka.

(dailynews.lk)

News

CAA seizes bottled water stock in Hemmatagama over violations

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2024

editor

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) raided a factory in Hemmatagama, Mawanella, seizing over 3,000 bottles of drinking water prepared for distribution.

Investigations revealed that the factory’s Health Ministry registration certificate had expired and was obtained using false information. The seized stock included bottles of varying sizes from 500 ml to 19 liters.

The CAA emphasized that falsely claiming standards or endorsements violates the CAA Act, and legal action will be taken against the violators. Regular raids are conducted to prevent consumer deception.

News

POIASL renews call to lift oil palm cultivation ban

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2024

editor

The Palm Oil Industry Association of Sri Lanka (POIASL) has urged the Government to reconsider the 2021 ban on oil palm cultivation, citing its economic, environmental, and strategic benefits.

Speaking at the association’s fifth AGM, President Dr. Rohan Fernando criticized the ban as an “ill-conceived decision” lacking scientific basis, driven by vested interests. He emphasized that oil palm is the most efficient vegetable oil crop, meeting over 40% of global demand.

Fernando argued that expanding oil palm cultivation could reduce edible oil imports, save foreign exchange, and create jobs. He highlighted India’s accelerated oil palm expansion as a model and called for collaboration with major producers like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

The AGM concluded optimistically, with hopes that the new administration will reconsider the ban to align with its goals of food security, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.

News

Met Department forecasts showers in several provinces

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2024

editor

The Meteorology Department says several spells of showers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts during the evening or night.

Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere, the Met. Department added.

Misty conditions can be expected in most places of the island during the morning.

Thus, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.