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Plans to cultivate 36,000 acres of coconut this year

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The Minister made this statement during the Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting on Plantation and Community Infrastructure, held under his Chairmanship at Parliament on March 05. Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure – Sundaralingam Pradeep, was also participated in the meeting.

To enhance coconut cultivation, the minister announced that 2.5 million coconut seedlings will be produced this year. Furthermore, from the 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer received free of charge from Russia, 27,500 metric tons are being utilized to produce 56,000 metric tons of mixed fertilizer for coconut cultivation. Through this initiative, fertilizer subsidies will be provided to coconut estate owners with less than five acres of plantations. Accordingly, a 50 kg sack of this mixed fertilizer, which is valued at approximately LKR 9,500 in the market, will be made available to coconut farmers nationwide at a subsidized price of LKR 4,000 by the end of this month.

Additionally, under the Indian Aid program, 4,700 estate-sector houses are expected to be constructed this year as part of the 10,000-housing project. The Hon. Minister emphasized that while there were previous reports of political favoritism in the selection of housing beneficiaries, this time, the process will be conducted with greater transparency and without political bias. Also, priority will be given to families residing in landslide-prone areas, he said. Furthermore, LKR 1.3 billion in domestic funds is expected to be allocated for the improvement of estate housing and related infrastructure development.

Addressing the Committee, Secretary to the Ministry, Mr.Prabath Chandrakeerthi, presented an overview of the ministry’s operations and future plans. He stated that approximately 30,000 hectares of underutilized plantation company lands have been identified and that steps are being taken to allocate these lands to investors.

Moreover, the secretary reported that Sri Lanka’s total tea production in 2024 was approximately 262 million kg, while the target for 2025 is set at 275 million kg. He also noted a decline in rubber exports despite Sri Lanka being the home of the world’s first rubber research institute and announced that the target for 2025 is 78 million kg of rubber exports. Additionally, the goal for coconut production in 2025 is set at 2,875 million, he said.

During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding the threat of declining quality in Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon due to excessive use of glyphosate and other factors, highlighting the need for greater attention to this issue.

Members of Parliament also raised concerns regarding the quality standards of tea fertilizers, the promotion of cashew cultivation, and other issues relevant to the ministry.

The meeting was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament, and officials from institutions under the Ministry of Plantation and Rural Infrastructure.

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Wharf Services Union dismisses recent container release allegations

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The Lanka Wharf Services Union has dismissed recent allegations regarding the release of certain containers by Sri Lanka Customs as politically motivated and aimed at discrediting Government procedures. 

The union clarified that such releases have occurred in the past and may continue in the future, under standard protocols.
Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (12) at the Sambodhi Vihara in Malwatta Road, Colombo, where the recent release of 324 containers was discussed, Union President Ranjith Liyanarachchi stated that Sri Lanka Customs follows established procedures to examine and clear imported containers.

“With over 34 years of service, I can confirm that containers are never released without scrutiny. Customs conducts random inspections, scans, and document verifications. Of the nearly 1,500 containers arriving daily, only a select number are inspected based on documentation. During periods of backlog, even with all three terminals operating, congestion cannot be avoided. If every container were to be physically checked, ships would be delayed or rerouted- as has happened in the past,” Liyanarachchi explained.

He added that even containers released to external destinations can be re-inspected if necessary, and that Customs tracks their destination and the importers’ history, sometimes spanning over a decade. “All documentation is reviewed before release. We are confident that only the declared goods are present in the released containers.”

Union Secretary Irshad Niyas echoed this stance, adding,” There is still public commentary on the container releases. Previously, when there were long queues and public frustration over road blockages, Customs officers worked efficiently to reduce delays. The current criticism is being unfairly directed at the Minister, but these decisions are taken collectively by Customs teams, not individuals.”

Niyas also refuted sensational claims made in the media and on social platforms that firearms, bombs, or gold were found in the containers. “These are baseless. Some even falsely claimed the containers belonged to the Western Province Chief Minister. None of that is true. Customs and port operations are currently functioning very well. If weapons were truly involved, complain to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), not just shout accusations in public. Customs has scanning systems and follow-up mechanisms. If needed, any container can be re-inspected at any time,” he said.

Referring to a list circulated by former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, Niyas stated, “According to our practical knowledge, none of the containers on that list pose any issue. We speak from experience.”

Union Vice President Nilantha Kumara and Treasurer H.Irshad also spoke at the event.

(dailynews.lk)

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Over Rs.201 mn. in Chinese gem merchant’s bank account, confiscated

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The Colombo High Court yesterday (June 12) had ordered to confiscate over Rs. 201 million in a private bank account of a Chinese businessman who was involved in the gem trade without a licence.

Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige sentenced the businessman, found guilty of money laundering, to a two years’ rigorous imprisonment, suspended for 15 years.

The case was filed by the Attorney General’s Department accusing the suspect of 03 charges.

The accused was found guilty only on the charge of depositing the proceeds from the gem trade in a bank account without a licence.

Considering the facts, the Colombo High Court Judge had ordered the suspension and confiscation of Rs.201,664,274.20 that he had earned through illegal activities.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

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Heavy rain of 100mm expected today

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The Department of Meteorology said that showers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces today (June 13).

Heavy rains of about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in the Northern province and in Anuradhapura district.

Strong winds of about 50-60kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds.

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