Sri Lanka’s state-run Pelwatte Sugar Factory is facing a critical operational and financial crisis, with nearly 17,000 metric tonnes of unsold brown sugar piling up in its warehouses and the next sugarcane harvest looming.

Lanka Sugar Company COO Nuwan Dharmaratne warns that without clearing the current sugar stock, the factory cannot process the upcoming harvest. “We’re struggling with an overdraft of Rs. 11.2 million and unpaid statutory dues of Rs. 30 million,” he said. The company’s cash flow has also been hit hard by falling ethanol prices and unsold molasses.

At the heart of the crisis is a discriminatory tax policy. Locally produced brown sugar is subject to an 18% VAT, making it up to Rs. 150 more expensive per kilogram than imported white sugar, which is tax-exempt. “We sell at Rs. 250, but it retails over Rs. 400, while imported white sugar is under Rs. 300,” Dharmaratne explained. “Consumers go by price, not health benefits.”

In a desperate move to pay May salaries and settle dues to farmers, management reportedly sold 500 metric tonnes of sugar at Rs. 199 per kilogram—well below the Rs. 283 production cost—resulting in a Rs. 42 million loss. Workers allege the sale was a financial misstep, though company Chairperson Sandamali Chandrasekara denies it was made at a loss.

The company had requested a Rs. 5 billion bailout loan from the Treasury, which was rejected. With monthly operational costs close to Rs. 1 billion—including wages for 3,900 employees—the company’s future hangs in the balance.

Sri Lanka imports over 600,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually, with local producers like Pelwatte accounting for just 40,000 metric tonnes. However, these producers face an uneven playing field and lack state protection, making competition with cheap imports unsustainable.

Government efforts to support local sugar through retail networks like Sathosa have shown little impact. Further complicating matters, the government is now considering converting around 15,000 hectares of land owned by Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories into tourism zones under a Public-Private Partnership model.

Industry Minister Sunil Handunnetti claims the PPP move will cut brown sugar production costs and attract investment, promising no layoffs.

But Dharmaratne insists that without urgent policy changes—especially scrapping the VAT on brown sugar and controlling sugar imports—the factory may not survive. “We’ve appealed to the government multiple times, but there’s been no action,” he said.

With the crushing season fast approaching, industry experts warn that Sri Lanka’s domestic sugar production may face collapse unless immediate reforms are made. The future of one of the country’s few local sugar producers now hangs by a thread.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) of the Health Ministry has issued red notices to 18 schools across the country as part of a nationwide special mosquito control programme recently carried out to curb the rising threat of dengue.

Speaking at a media briefing organized by the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Dr. Anoja Dheerasinghe, Consultant Community Physician at the NDCU, revealed that inspections were carried out at 257 schools, of which 131—amounting to 51%—were found to have mosquito breeding sites. Alarmingly, 37 schools (14.4%) were found to have active mosquito larvae.

The programme, conducted from May 19 to 24, covered 95 health medical officer divisions across 15 districts. It was implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media in collaboration with the NDCU, focusing on identifying and eliminating potential dengue breeding sites, particularly in high-risk areas such as school premises. The issuance of red notices signifies the urgent need for these schools to implement corrective measures to mitigate further dengue risks.

First Imported Coconut Milk Consignment Undergoes Testing as Government Targets Lower Prices

The first batch of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (May 31), marking a significant step in the Plantation Industries Ministry’s efforts to stabilize domestic coconut prices and support local industry.

Approved by the Cabinet, the initiative aims to provide essential raw materials to coconut-based industries, with the goal of easing the burden on local coconut supplies. The current consignment under inspection includes frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder, and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), representing the equivalent of 200 million coconuts.

Launched in March 2025, the programme addresses the raw material shortages faced by the coconut milk powder industry in particular. Officials expect that this importation strategy will help reduce the cost pressures in the market and bring down retail coconut prices, while ensuring consistent supply for manufacturers reliant on coconut-based inputs.The first batch of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (May 31), marking a significant step in the Plantation Industries Ministry’s efforts to stabilize domestic coconut prices and support local industry.

Approved by the Cabinet, the initiative aims to provide essential raw materials to coconut-based industries, with the goal of easing the burden on local coconut supplies. The current consignment under inspection includes frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder, and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), representing the equivalent of 200 million coconuts.

Launched in March 2025, the programme addresses the raw material shortages faced by the coconut milk powder industry in particular. Officials expect that this importation strategy will help reduce the cost pressures in the market and bring down retail coconut prices, while ensuring consistent supply for manufacturers reliant on coconut-based inputs.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has reported widespread power outages across multiple regions in Sri Lanka following strong gusty winds that swept through Colombo and other parts of the country on Thursday night. According to the CEB, a total of 29,015 electricity breakdowns have been recorded nationwide as a result of the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

CEB Media Spokesman Dhammika Wimalaratne stated that repair teams have been deployed to the affected areas in order to restore electricity as quickly as possible. The CEB has also urged the public to report any ongoing power outages through the dedicated ‘1987’ hotline or the ‘CEBCare’ mobile application for prompt assistance.

With the arrival of the Southwest monsoon, severe weather has impacted 21 districts across Sri Lanka, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds. As of yesterday evening (May 30), a total of 2,249 families across 219 Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected. The Disaster Management Center (DMC) confirmed that three fatalities have been reported due to the adverse weather conditions.

In response, the Government has announced compensation for those who have lost their lives or sustained injuries as a result of the extreme weather. According to the DMC, one death has been confirmed in the Puttalam District, while more than 800 houses—many in Colombo and surrounding areas—have sustained partial damage. Eight people have been injured in various incidents, with two injuries reported in the Colombo District alone, where 1,321 individuals from 245 families have been impacted. The most significant effects have been recorded in the Colombo and Homagama areas, according to the District Disaster Management Unit.

The Meteorological Department issued its weather forecast for today (May 31), warning of showers or thundershowers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara Districts. Rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected in parts of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, and Matara.

Meanwhile, intermittent showers are likely in the North-Central Province, Mannar, and Hambantota Districts. Strong winds ranging from 50 to 60 kmph are forecast for the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-Central, and North-Western provinces, as well as in Hambantota and Trincomalee. Elsewhere in the country, winds of 30 to 40 kmph can also be expected.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution and take preventive measures against potential damage from strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly heavy falls above 75 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 North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about 50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

The Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wentao, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for bilateral discussions.

Minister Wang highlighted the growing interest from Chinese investors in Sri Lanka, attributing it to the current political and economic stability and the clear policy direction of President Dissanayake’s administration. He noted that his delegation, comprising over 100 Chinese investors, reflected a strong commitment to deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.

The talks focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment partnerships and reaffirming support during ongoing global economic challenges. Minister Wang reiterated China’s dedication to assisting Sri Lanka during this period and emphasized the importance of achieving shared economic goals.

A key agenda item during the meeting was reviewing progress on agreements made during President Dissanayake’s recent state visit to China. Both sides expressed a mutual desire to ensure the timely completion of ongoing Chinese-funded development projects in Sri Lanka, while also accelerating the implementation of new initiatives.

The Chinese delegation included Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs Wang Liping, and Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs Shu Jueting. Representing Sri Lanka were Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, among other officials.

Henry, the world’s oldest known living crocodile, turns 124 in 2024. Residing in South Africa’s Crocworld since 1985, he’s fathered over 10,000 offspring and continues to amaze scientists with his remarkable longevity and vitality.

Meet Henry: Henry, who is a Nile crocodile, was 124 years old on 16 December 2024. He resides at South Africa’s Crocworld Conservation Centre and is considered to be the current oldest living crocodile in the world. (@TomFulop/X)

From the Wilds of Botswana: Henry was caught in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in 1903. His birthdate is not known, but his age is estimated at around 1900, which makes him more than a century old. (Image: @CharlesWieand/X)

His Home at Crocworld: Henry has been living safely in captivity at Crocworld since 1985. There, he is protected and well cared for and has a serene environment that probably has contributed to his longevity. (Image: @CharlesWieand/X)

A Record-Breaking Father: In spite of his age, Henry has fathered more than 10,000 children. His active contribution to reproduction stunned conservationists and assisted in keeping the population of crocodiles at the centre thriving. (Image: @AMAZlNGNATURE/X)

A Gentle Giant in Numbers: Henry is approximately 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds) and 5 metres (16.4 feet) long. He’s one of the biggest crocodiles on the planet in captivity today and continues to astonish visitors. (Image: @pubity/X)

Why Crocodiles Live So Long: Biologists attribute the longevity of reptiles such as Henry to slower metabolisms. Their cold-bloodedness serves to save energy, which could slow down ageing and extend their lifespan. (Image: @VladLiliac/X)

The Power of Crocodile Biology: Crocodiles are believed to possess robust immune systems and particular blood proteins that assist in combating infection. This could be one reason Henry has lived so long. (@Visceral9000/X)

Captivity Adds Years: Safe surroundings contribute significantly towards the longevity of animals. In the absence of predators, disease, or competition, animals such as Henry can potentially live for decades. (@DrWildlife/X)

A Living Mystery for Science: Scientists still haven’t fully figured out why crocodiles live so long. It is hard to study animals like Henry because they tend to live longer than scientists studying them. (@TomFulop/X)

Celebrating Henry’s Remarkable Life: Henry’s life is one of survival and resilience. At 124 years of age, he keeps scientists and animal enthusiasts all over the globe amazed with his vigor and mystique. (Image: @AnshumanVishno1/X)

https://www.moneycontrol.com/science/meet-henry-the-world-s-oldest-living-crocodile-who-has-fathered-10-000-babies-photo-gallery-13051072-5.html

Strong winds swept through Colombo on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage in multiple areas of the city. The sudden gusts uprooted trees, brought down sheds and rooftops, and toppled signboards along key routes, including the busy Galle Road.

Authorities were quick to respond, with emergency services dispatched to clear debris and restore traffic flow. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials are assessing the full extent of the damage. Residents have been advised to exercise caution as cleanup efforts continue.