CEB Chairman M.C.C. Ferdinando has submitted his resignation letter to the President.
Ferdinando has informed President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in writing that he will resign from his post with effect from 01.02.2022 due to personal reasons.
Indonesian Ambassador pledge cooperation to strengthen the Palm oil smallholders
A special meeting was held on the 11th of January 2022 between the Palm Oil Association of Sri Lanka (POIASL) and Her Excellency, Dewi Gustina Tobing, Indonesia’s recently-appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka. The present role of, and challenges faced by, the oil palm industry in Sri Lanka were discussed at the meeting, with the intention of obtaining support, expertise and assistance from Indonesia, the world’s biggest producer of palm oil.
The POIASL delegation was well received by the Ambassador at her offices and the President of the Association, Dr Rohan Fernando, who is also the Managing Director of Elpitiya Plantations PLC, led the discussions. The outcome of the meeting was positive and the Ambassador agreed to engineer cooperation between the two nations to strengthen smallholder involvement in cultivating oil palms.
The potential for economic emancipation and rural development through oil palm cultivation by smallholders was also highlighted at the meeting. It was pointed out that smallholders account for more than 40% of oil palm plantations in Indonesia, and that this trend has seen huge socio-economic development within that country’s rural sector. Replicating this in Sri Lanka could increase prosperity for rural communities, while also reducing Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange spending on edible oil imports.
Sustainable palm oil was also a key topic of discussion, particularly the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) programme. Sri Lanka too is keen to develop its palm oil industry in a sustainable way and significant progress has already been made in this field and implementation is successfully underway. In fact, Sri Lanka’s palm oil industry has already achieved 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, Sustainable palm oil has been shown to be linked to many indicators with regard to positive socio-economic development.
Thus, Indonesia is ideally suited to act as a guide for Sri Lanka as Indonesia’s economy has received significant boosts as a result of smallholder involvement, particularly in rural areas. The POIASL is keen to create such economic opportunities in Sri Lanka as well, leveraging Indonesia’s expertise in the field.
Chairman of Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board too tenders resignation!
Chairman of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board Attorney-at-Law Premachandra Epa has reportedly tendered resignation to his post.
His letter of resignation has been handed over to the Subject Minister yesterday (25).
MIAP
Omicron risk: IDH full. ICU and oxygen requirement soared
The Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) has also been overflowed with Covid patients, revealed Hospital Director Dr. Hasitha Attanayake, citing an incoming surge of 50 per cent in the past week.
He also pointed out that the requirement of referring patients into the Intensive Care Units (ICU) and oxygen supply has also been increased.
The situation follows upon the growing spread of the omicron variant of Covid-19.
MIAP
Government has no plan to import fertiliser for both Yala and Maha Seasons: MP Nalin Bandara
The government has no plan to import fertiliser and agricultural inputs for the current Maha Season as well as the upcoming Yala Season, alleged Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara speaking to a briefing held in the Opposition Leader’s Office yesterday (25).
“The Maha Season has already been destroyed. There is no time to import urea for the Maha Season. Not only the Maha Season, one hundred thousand metric tonnes of urea and fertiliser are required for the Yala Season. But due to the dollar deficit the companies importing fertiliser have ordered only 10 per cent of that one hundred thousand. They have no required amount of dollars. The Central Bank does not implement a program to release dollars. When banks are sought, a LC cannot be opened. International companies have no confidence with one of our LCs; guarantees are sought from intermediates,” the MP said.
He added: “So, the government has not implemented a solution to import fertiliser and other inputs for the Yala Season after the Maha Season. Those who implemented such idiotic agricultural policies in the government further await till that rejected Chinese Ship full of dung is brought back. Also, we are not sure whether the failed nano urea will be brought back too. We have a doubt about it.”
MIAP
Sandya Ekneligoda vows to continue fight till justice is served (VIDEO)
Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, who was abducted and disappeared twelve years ago, vowed that she will continue to fight till justice is served.
Mrs. Ekneligoda made this observation with media following her special religious devotion ‘Viradam Pooja’ to Hindu Goddess Kali in Modara Kali Fane in memory of Mr. Ekneligoda yesterday (25).
“It has been twelve years since my husband was abducted and disappeared by force. Today, when this country is in a state of panic, fear of diseases, and people are starving, I came to Mother Kali to shave my head for my husband,” Mrs. Ekneligoda said.
She added: “There is a rule of nature in this country. All citizens of this country subject to that rule, that nature. All animals in the universe are subject to that nature. So I think Kali is the universal woman in that nature. Because Kali will be able to punish the criminals in this country. The noble and universal woman who fought for her husband was Mother Pattini. So, I decided to take my fight in the footsteps of that universal mother. From today, I will be shaving my head for my husband, in the name of Mother Kali. I will continue this fight on this earth till I get justice.”
MIAP
Minister Chandrasena tried to hand over Steel Corporation land to Nandana Lokuwithana for free
The headlines have recently been burning with the story that Land Minister S.M. Chandrasena had allegedly attempted to hand over 185 acres of state-owned land near Kaduwela to a businessman for free
Media speculations went on claiming that the relevant proposal was discussed in the Cabinet last week, same as the week before, but Minister Chandrasena was compelled to withdraw the paper due to strong opposition from a number of Cabinet ministers.
However, these reports failed to disclose the name of the supposed business figure behind the deal.
Sources disclosed that Minister Chandrasena had attempted to hand over this valuable land to Nandana Lokuwithana, a well known billionaire, with a free grant.
Lokuwithana, who owns the Marriott Hotel in Dubai, has invested in a number of areas in Sri Lanka, particularly the construction and steel industries. The billionaire is said to have established a large tire factory in Kalutara recently as well.
Minister Chandrasena is believed to have been instructed by another powerful figure in the government to hand over the land to Lokuwithana.
Crude oil ship delayed. Operations at Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery further stalled?
The operations at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery may be further stalled, said the Energy Ministry.
The operations at the Oil Refinery was set to resume from tomorrow (27), but Secretary to the Energy Ministry K.R.D. Volga told media that operations are expected to resume by January 30.
It is believed that the situation has arisen due to the delay in arrival of the ship carrying the crude oil stock ordered.
MIAP
PM completely recovered, meets diplomatic delegation
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was admitted to the Navaloka Hospital, Colombo two days (24) ago due to a sudden illness, has been completely recovered by yesterday.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister has resumed his Office.
He has held a discussion with a group of embassy officials yesterday afternoon as well.
MIAP
Those seeking political advantage through power cuts must be penalised: Rohitha Abeygunawardena (VIDEO)
There are certain officers in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) who tend to embarrass the government by endorsing power cuts despite the President’s orders not to, in a move of gaining the political advantage, said Ports and Naval Affairs Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, speaking to media in Kalutara yesterday (25).
Accordingly, law must be enforced against such persons, the Minister suggested.
“His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa together with the Honourable Finance Minister held a discussion by calling in the Power Minister, the Energy Minister and their officers who hold responsibilities yesterday morning. Holding such a discussion, the President instructed never to carry out a power cut. As the government, approval was granted to release the money required for the purchase of fuel.
Even after giving all these things and the President has given an order, we can see that certain CEB officials are trying to gain political advantage. This should be made clear. A timetable for power cuts is released in the evening, even after the government is held accountable, the fuel is being brought and all the responsibilities are borne by the government. They are trying to mess with people’s heads. Why so? To embarrass the government.
In fact, the reason for this power crisis is not at the complete discretion of the CEB. There is a handful of people, whose intention is a movement of sabotage. Because they do not like the idea of power, in particular, being produced via solar power. Every time power is produced via alternate methods, they tend to do something against. Therefore, the people of the country should be aware of this very clearly. If they continue to push back when the government is putting its efforts not to keep the people in the dark, they, in my opinion, must penalised legitimately. Were they not penalised, I am very confident that the people will penalise them.
Can a member of a trade union say whether power should be cut or not? If that is the case, one of those trade unions must be appointed as the Chairman of the CEB. Then, someone from the trade union must be appointed as the General Manager. The Subject Ministry should also be given to them. Then they will be able to make the decisions, not the government. So, when the people are given the wrong impression that power will be cut, that would be very dangerous. Therefore, law should be enforced against those who make such statements. For gods sake, we this as a crime against this country!” he said.