News

Paddy colour changed due to polluted Indian air

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2023

editor

The dark weather caused by the increased amount of dust particles due to air pollution in India, and the extreme cold weather caused by the impact of the cyclone have mostly affected the yellowing of paddy, Rohana Thilakasiri, a paddy expert at Bathalagoda Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI), said.

He said the crops that were sown after November 15 have mostly turned yellow. The effect of bad weather, the decrease in the temperature of the atmosphere and the decrease in the light in the environment have affected the fresh crops.

He said that there is a deficiency of potassium in paddy caused by several factors. Mr. Thilakasiri said that during the two, three and four weeks of planting, the plant becomes inactive due to lack of nutrients as a result of low temperature and light.

He said the nutrients required for the growth of paddy have not been received sufficiently. Although there is a requirement of 3,200 metric tons of muriate of potash fertilizer for paddy cultivation in Kurunegala District, the Agrarian Service Centres have received only 1,600 metric tons, and the farmers have used only 160 metric tons.

He also said that Triple Super Phosphate fertilizer has not been used for all three Seasons in the district.

(Aruna)

News

Weerasena Gamage sworn in as MP

Published

5 mins ago

April 24, 2024

editor

Weerasena Gamage of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament today (April 24).

He took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena soon after the parliamentary proceedings commenced.

Weerasena was named to fill the parliamentary seat that was left vacant following the demise of SLPP’s Anuradhapura District MP H. Nandasena, who passed away on April 05 due to a sudden illness.

Accordingly, Weerasena was next in line on the SLPP list for the Anuradhapura District after securing a total of 38,242 votes upon contesting the 2020 Parliamentary Elections. He managed to place 9th in the preferential votes list.

News

Schools reopen today after New Year holidays

Published

15 mins ago

April 24, 2024

editor

Government and government-approved private schools have reopened today (April 24) for the second phase of the first school term, after the Sinhala and Hindu New Year holidays.

Schools will close once again from May 03 – 19 for the 2023 GCE Ordinary Level Examination