News

Milk powder shortage in future?

Published

2 years ago

November 16, 2022

editor

A shortage of milk powder could arise in the country in future, Puredale Ltd Chairman Lakshman Weerasuriya said.

He said that this will be inevitable since Imports and Exports Controller General Damayanthi S. Karunaratne has detained 15 containers at the Colombo Port for 25 days without taking any decision.

“The agencies that supplied us with this milk powder are telling us to reship these stocks to Vietnam and Indonesia. If we do that, the country will go through a shortage of milk powder. We already have to pay over Rs.4 million as demurrages,” he said.

He alleged that the main reason for the increase in the prices of essential items is the inefficiency of the officials.

“It takes between 37 and 42 days for a ship to arrive with milk powder. By the time these essential materials arrive in the country, three or four different circulars will be issued. There is one rule before loading the goods on the ship, another rule when the goods are on the way and another rule when the ship finally arrives in Sri Lanka,” he said.

News

Brazilian nabbed at BIA with cocaine worth Rs. 240 mn.

Published

1 hour ago

April 20, 2025

editor

A Brazilian national was arrested by the Narcotics Control Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this (April 20) morning over attempting to smuggle nearly 05 kg of cocaine concealed in his suitcase.

The suspect is a 59-year-old Brazilian teacher and the seized cocaine (4kg and 855g) is valued around Rs. 240 million.

News

New Mosquito species discovered in SL

Published

1 hour ago

April 20, 2025

editor

A new species of mosquito endemic to Sri Lanka has been identified from Mirigama.

The species has been named Culex (Lophoceraomyia) cinctellus.

Entomologist Gayan Kumarasinghe from the Medical Research Institute said that the newly discovered mosquito has been identified as a major carrier of viruses.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

All postal ballot papers to be handed over to the EC today

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2025

editor

The Government Printer states that all ballot papers for postal voting will be handed over to the Election Commission today (April 20).

Printing of the ballot papers for 102 local government institutions were delayed due to a court order.

Director of the Government Printer – Pradeep Pushpakumara says that printing of ballot papers for postal voting, is currently underway and nearing completion.