By: Staff Writer

April 16, Colombo (LNW): Youth Agripreneurship Villages are to  be set up at Divisional Secretariat level, in a bid to attract youth to the agriculture sector, with the use of the latest technologies. 

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the programme will be implemented by selecting one village in each of the selected Divisional Secretariat area this year, under the first phase and to facilitate the farmers to use new technology and smart technology.

The Government Information Department noted that the government plans to create a youth agripreneurship community and to introduce agri-innovation to agricultural areas through the programme, with the aim of attracting the youth community to agriculture and developing their economic status.

The employment in the agriculture sector declined to 2.08 million last year, from 2.15 million a year earlier, after a temporary boost in 2020 and 2021, fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Cabinet of Ministers cleared the implementation of the Agripreneurship Villages establishment project, marking the first phase of this ambitious endeavour in 2024.

The significant initiative aimed at revolutionising the agricultural sector will select one village from each of the chosen Divisional Secretariat Areas to serve as the pilot site for Agripreneurship Villages.

“These villages will serve as hubs of agricultural innovation, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and smart solutions to facilitate farmers in adopting modern agricultural practices,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

He said the primary objective of the project is to create a vibrant youth Agripreneurship community and introduce agri-innovation to rural agricultural areas.

“By encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, the project expects to attract young individuals to the field of agriculture and elevate their economic status,” he added.

Gunawardena said through the integration of new technologies and smart solutions, farmers will have access to advanced tools and techniques to optimise crop yields, minimise resource usage, and enhance overall efficiency.

In addition, he said the project aligns with broader efforts to modernise the agriculture sector and address youth unemployment and rural poverty by providing young individuals with opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the agricultural sector.

The proposal to this effect presented by the Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

By: Staff Writer

April 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka does not have a comprehensive regime to stop ant-competitive behaviour but there are provisions to promote competition scattered among 37 pieces of legislation, according to an assessment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

There were both legal and regulatory provisions for promotion of competition and prevention of anti-competitive practices in as many as 37 enactments, with the purview and enforcement responsibilities distributed among both regulatory agencies as well as service providers.

The government is evaluating the existing legal frame work relating to market competition in Sri Lanka with the aim of introducing a comprehensive competition law.

The main aim is for the promotion of transparent and competitive business climate, finance ministry sources confirmed.

Although there were legislations relating to the concept of completion including the fair trading act no1 of 1987. But it has no relevance for international trade. 

Therefore Sri Lankan exporters, importers and traders are frequently facing anti-competitive practices of manipulating market driven prices, a high official of the ministry said.   

It is essential to create a conducive environment for these traders creating level playing field for competition in pricing and tariffs, he added.   

The policy inconsistency has become an obstacle for modern international trading logistics and, industrialisation in the country.       

In this juncture the Presidential Secretariat has stepped into expedite the process of devising a new comprehensive competition law regime seeking assistance of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

A seminar was held to share the current findings of the JICA’s assessment of the legal framework relating to market competition in Sri Lanka recently.

 A high level delegation from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) joined the seminar to share their insight on the background and key aspects of the competition laws and the role of JFTC in securing a transparent and competitive business climate in Japan, from which useful lessons could be drawn for Sri Lanka.

The assessment OF the existing legal provisions and measures the same against internationally accepted competition law principles was being conducted by JICA on the request of the Presidential Secretariat, JICA disclosed. 

The assessment findings are expected to provide a foundation for policy dialogue on this aspect vital for fostering innovation and productivity which would benefit both the customers and the suppliers, it added.

Harsha Fernando, President’s Counsel, presenting the findings of the assessment at the seminar explained that, there are both legal and regulatory provisions for promotion of competition and prevention of anti-competitive practices in as many as 37 enactments, with the purview and enforcement responsibilities distributed among both regulatory agencies as well as service providers.

April 16, Colombo (LNW): The US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has initiated a criminal probe into the tragic collapse of a Baltimore bridge last month, which occurred when a vessel collided with one of its supports, the bureau announced yesterday (15).

FBI agents boarded the cargo ship Dali to conduct court-authorised law enforcement activities related to the crash, according to a spokesperson cited by Reuters.

However, no further details were disclosed, and the FBI declined to provide additional comments.

The incident, which transpired in the early hours of March 26, involved a substantial container ship en route to Sri Lanka losing power and striking a support pylon, resulting in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing into the Patapsco River.

Tragically, six individuals lost their lives while working on the bridge during the collision.

The investigation into the bridge collapse will scrutinise various factors, including whether the crew of the cargo vessel Dali departed the port despite knowing about significant issues with its systems, according to Washington Post.

Safety investigators have retrieved the ship’s “black box” recorder, which contains critical data on its navigation, communications, and alarms, among other parameters.

Additionally, the US National Transportation Safety Board has conducted interviews with essential personnel from the cargo ship as part of its inquiry.

Efforts to clear the wreckage and restore traffic in the port’s shipping channel are ongoing. While replacing the bridge is expected to be a multi-year endeavour, authorities have established temporary channels to accommodate shallow-draft vessels navigating around the obstructed container vessel.

The US Army Corps of Engineers aims to open a new channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April.

It is noteworthy that at the time of the collision, the Dali was departing Baltimore bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a crew of 21 members and two pilots to assist in navigating out of the port.

The vessel, registered under the Singapore flag, has been associated with previous incidents, including a collision in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.

An inspection conducted in San Antonio, Chile, in June 2023, identified deficiencies in the vessel’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery, according to data from the Equasis website.

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority reported that the vessel passed inspections at foreign ports in June and September of the previous year.

Grace Ocean Pte Ltd is listed as the registered owner of the ship, which is managed by the Synergy Marine Group, with Maersk chartering the vessel.

April 16, Colombo (LNW): Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s upcoming visit to Sri Lanka in May is poised to mark a significant milestone, as he is set to inaugurate the Uma Oya Multipurpose project, foreign media reports claimed.

The Uma Oya project encompasses the construction of two dams, Dyraaba and Puhulpola, along with a 25-kilometre water transmission tunnel and two hydroelectric power plants, each boasting a capacity of 60 megawatts.

Considered a monumental engineering feat, the Uma Oya multipurpose project represents a pinnacle achievement for Iranian companies operating in Sri Lanka.

The project’s objectives are multifaceted, aiming to enhance irrigation across 5,000 acres of agricultural land, facilitate the transfer of 145 million cubic metres of water annually, and generate 290 GW/h of power.

It is noteworthy that the project’s intricate and diversified components underscores its complexity and scale.

Furthermore, it stands as one of the largest endeavours undertaken by Iranian contractors on foreign soil.

This forthcoming event follows a significant diplomatic exchange between Sri Lanka and Iran in August 2023, during which Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry visited Tehran and engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Abdollahian characterised the visit as a “turning point” in Iran-Sri Lanka relations during a joint press conference, highlighting the significance of bilateral ties between the two nations.

April 16, Colombo (LNW): The Agriculture Department is poised to issue crucial recommendations for the cultivation of the MD 2 pineapple variety, renowned globally for its exceptional sweetness, in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has potential to produce some of the world’s most delicious pineapples, making it possible to generate a substantial demand for locally grown pineapples in the global market, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amraraweera disclosed.

Despite the high demand for the MD 2 pineapple variety worldwide, efforts to cultivate it within Sri Lanka have been lacking.

Successful research endeavours aiming to cultivate this pineapple variety, characterised by its sweet taste and low acidity, have been conducted in the country, he noted.

In light of these advancements, Amaraweera instructed the Agriculture Department to expedite the process of recommending the MD 2 pineapple variety for cultivation in Sri Lanka, following the directives of the Crop Release Committee.

Furthermore, the Agriculture Minister underscored the success of research initiatives conducted under the government’s Agriculture Sector Modernisation Programme, affirming farmers’ keen interest in cultivating the MD 2 pineapple variety in Sri Lanka.

April 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Railways announced the cancellation of at least 11 commuter trains on the morning of the 16th, citing the absence of locomotive operators and train guards who failed to report to work.

This disruption in train services affected routes departing from Colombo Fort to various destinations including Moratuwa, Panadura, Wadduwa, Negombo, Ambepussa, Padukka, and Ragama.

Commuters relying on these train services faced inconvenience due to the cancellations, highlighting the importance of adequate staffing and operational readiness within the railway system to ensure seamless transportation services for the public.

April 16, Colombo (LNW): During the IMF-World Bank Group (WBG) Spring Meetings 2024 in Washington, D.C., Sri Lanka’s Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe met with Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Okamura commended Sri Lankan authorities for their robust programme implementation and remarkable progress in reforms.

Semasinghe led the Sri Lankan delegation, accompanied by Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana.

They discussed recent socio-economic developments and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining the gains achieved under the IMF programme while ensuring strong ownership and policy consistency.

In a productive exchange, Okamura emphasised the importance of preserving these achievements and maintaining momentum in reforms.

Semasinghe shared insights into Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic landscape and investment opportunities during a roundtable with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU).

Discussions focused on sectors like education, tourism, renewable energy, agriculture, and technology, highlighting their potential for sustainable economic growth.

Furthermore, Semasinghe engaged in discussions with Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, IMF Executive Director for India and Sri Lanka, and Parameswaran Iyer, World Bank Executive Director for India and Sri Lanka.

Iyer assured Sri Lanka of his full support, updating Semasinghe on internal restructurings within the World Bank and their potential benefits for the country.