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.

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.

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.