January 25, Colombo (LNW): In the preceding 24-hour period concluding at 12:30 a.m. today (25), the security forces personnel successfully apprehended an additional 838 suspects as part of the ongoing nationwide anti-drug operation, codenamed ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice).

Of these apprehensions, 549 individuals face charges related to narcotics, while the remaining 289 were individuals previously identified as wanted criminal suspects.

Authorities have obtained detention orders for further interrogation against five suspects linked to drug-related activities.

Additionally, ten individuals, identified as drug addicts among the arrestees, have been directed towards rehabilitation programs.

During this 24-hour period, law enforcement seized a quantity of narcotics, including 211 grams of heroin, 78 grams of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’), 16.6 kilograms of cannabis, 9,974 cannabis plants, and 1,192 narcotic pills, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

To date, the cumulative outcome of the countrywide anti-drug operation, initiated on December 17, 2023, has resulted in the arrest of over 41,000 individuals suspected of involvement in drug-related activities and wanted criminal cases.

The total estimated value of the confiscated narcotics during these operations is approximately Rs. 5 billion.

January 25, Colombo (LNW): State Minister Sanath Nishantha was reportedly killed in a fatal car accident on the Katunayake Expressway early Thursday (25) morning.

The tragedy also claimed the life of a Police Constable from the State Minister’s security detail, and the driver suffered severe injuries, leading to hospitalisation.

Police reported that the incident occurred at 2 AM when the SUV carrying the State Minister collided with the rear end of a freight container truck en route to Colombo. The collision resulted in this unfortunate and tragic accident.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): Officials from the National Livestock Development Board recently apprised Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera of the thriving harvest of carrots, cabbage, and radish in the Bopattalawa and Menikpalama farms situated in Nuwara Eliya. These farms, under the stewardship of the National Livestock Development Board, have seen impressive growth in these vegetable crops.

Following the Minister’s directive to cultivate vegetables on lands owned by institutions within the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Livestock Development Board undertook the cultivation of 25 acres of carrots and cabbage in the Bopattalawa and Menikpalama farms in Nuwara Eliya. The current status reports a successful harvest, showcasing the high yields achieved in these two farms.

The Livestock Development Board expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, emphasizing that the crops are currently in the harvesting phase, demonstrating the effectiveness of the cultivation efforts. The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s broader goal of promoting agricultural self-sufficiency and utilizing available lands efficiently for crop cultivation.

Minister Amaraweera has been a driving force behind encouraging vegetable cultivation on lands owned by various institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture, aiming to enhance food production and reduce dependency on external sources.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced that the State Printing Corporation (SPC), previously on the restructuring list, has successfully transformed into a profitable government institution within a mere one and a half years. The Minister revealed that through effective management strategies, the SPC, which was once incurring losses, rapidly ascended to profitability, registering a profit of two million rupees.

Minister Premajayantha shared these achievements during his attendance at a recent function held at the SPC on Monday. He highlighted the remarkable shift in the corporation’s financial standing, emphasizing that it now generates its own working capital while also disbursing bonuses and allowances to its employees.

Expressing satisfaction at the swift and positive transformation of the SPC, the Minister attributed the success to changes in top management and the proper assignment of responsibilities. He commended the corporation for overcoming its status as a loss-making entity, previously included in the restructuring list, and achieving profitability in a short span.

Minister Premajayantha credited the consolidation of all institutions related to the Education Ministry under a single umbrella as a significant factor contributing to the SPC’s success. This integration, according to the Minister, played a pivotal role in addressing longstanding issues related to printing school textbooks and ensuring timely delivery to students.

Acknowledging the positive momentum, the Minister encouraged the SPC to capitalize on this success by venturing into new competitive investments. He emphasized the importance of sustained development to further enhance the corporation’s capabilities.

As part of the recognition for the institution’s success, the Minister highlighted the evaluation of meritorious staff who played a crucial role in the rapid development of the SPC.

January 24, Colombo (LNW):In a recent press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), State Minister of Rural Economy, K.Kader Masthan, disclosed that negotiations are underway for the release of lands under the Forest Department, earmarked for agricultural and tourism endeavors. The minister emphasized the significance of these discussions in promoting economic growth and diversification.

State Minister Masthan also highlighted a pivotal agricultural initiative, revealing that the restoration of 61 tanks has been set in motion to foster agricultural development in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts. This initiative aims to enhance water resources for irrigation, contributing to increased agricultural productivity in the region.

During the press conference, State Minister Masthan expressed gratitude to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for expediting the economic stabilization process. He acknowledged the President’s swift actions, which have significantly shortened the anticipated economic recovery period.

Addressing the progress in the rural economy, the State Minister mentioned specific financial allocations for projects targeting the Northern, Eastern, and Central provinces. In the past year, the Ministry of Rural Economy implemented various programs, including the distribution of goats and essential seeds for green cultivation, positively impacting livelihoods in these regions.

Remarkably, the State Minister reported the effective utilization of approximately 98% of the allocated financial funds for the ministry’s programs, leading to tangible benefits for the people. Notable achievements were cited in the Mannar district, with a green bean harvest reaching 1050 metric tons, and advancements in goat management.

Foreign aid has played a crucial role in supporting several development initiatives, with a focus on enhancing the agricultural sector. Among these projects, the ongoing restoration of 30 tanks in Mannar district and 31 tanks in Vavuniya district stands out, illustrating the commitment to bolstering agricultural infrastructure.

State Minister Masthan concluded by emphasizing the government’s primary objective: addressing issues such as food scarcity and malnutrition through comprehensive programs facilitated by the Agriculture Ministry. Simultaneously, negotiations for the release of Forest Department lands underscore the administration’s commitment to sustainable agricultural and tourism development.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): In a groundbreaking achievement, the Lunuwila Coconut Research Institute (CRI) has achieved success in developing coconut saplings using tissue from the unopened female flower of the coconut plant. Dr. Sanathani Ranasinghe, the Director of Lunuwila CRI, announced that their research on coconut seedling preparation through tissue culture technology has been remarkably successful.

While many coconut-growing countries globally utilize tissue culture technology for coconut plant cultivation, they predominantly focus on parts associated with the coconut pulp. Notably, Lunuwila CRI’s research marks the first instance worldwide where coconut saplings have been developed using components from the unopened female flower of the coconut plant.

Agriculture and Plantation Industry Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently visited the Lunuwila CRI to witness this groundbreaking achievement. The Minister inspected the successfully produced coconut saplings, cultivated in research tubes using a delicate portion of the coconut flower. Unlike traditional coconut cultivation methods that require ample space for seedling growth, Lunuwila CRI managed to cultivate coconut seedlings in compact glass tubes, each approximately six inches high.

Leading the research team, Dr. Ranasinghe, along with department head Dr. Vijitha Vidanarachchi and a group of scientists, played a pivotal role in this scientific breakthrough.

During discussions with officials, Minister Amaraweera emphasized the potential of this new technology in producing King Coconut seedlings, responding to the growing international demand for King Coconuts from Sri Lanka. Dr. Ranasinghe confirmed that Lunuwila CRI has already commenced the production of King Coconut plants using this innovative technology.

Expressing gratitude to the scientists behind this pioneering technology, Minister Amaraweera announced plans by the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry to allocate necessary financial resources for the extensive production of coconut and orange seedlings through this cutting-edge method. The Minister highlighted that this accomplishment positions Sri Lanka at the forefront of agricultural innovation on a global scale.