Fire destroys 35 acres of forest land
Around 35 acres of forest was destroyed on Saturday in a fire that erupted in the protected areas of the Castlereagh reservoir and Devon Falls. Police suspect that the fire has been deliberately caused
Daily News (Sri Lanka)
-
Fruit traders warned against Carbide gas use
The Health Ministry Food Control Department yesterday warned fruit traders against using Carbide gas for accelerated ripening of fruits, stating that the Health Ministry will take stern action against those found involved in producing and selling such inedible or contaminated fruits. Calcium Carbide is widely used by traders in spite of it being a banned practice.
-
Food safety conference begins today
The International Conference on Food Safety : Science, Evidence and Regulations, organised by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Regional Office for South Asia of International Life Sciences will be held today and tomorrow at Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo, a Health Education Bureau spokesman said. According to the spokesman Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana, Technology and Research
-
Solid waste management project launched
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) launched a solid waste management programme under the pilisaru project to help North Western Province local authorities regularize solid waste management. Speaking at its launching ceremony at Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha auditorium recently, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said , it is a duty of all to keep our environment clean and a maj
-
Gin Oya to be made protected zone
Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has given directives to declare the Gin Oya environs as a protected zone with immediate effect. This decision was taken considering the uncontrolled human activities taking place in Gin Oya surroundings. It was reported that the Gin Pol mangrove variety which is frequently found in these environs is threatened due to human activities.
-
Do not harm environment - CEA Chairman
Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Charitha Herath urged from the public to be careful in disposing Vesak decorations and lanterns made of polythene and plastic without harming the environment and drainage system of the country. He told the Daily News yesterday that a large quantity of polythene is annually collected in urban cities specially in Colombo after the Vesak celebrations.
-
Rainwater harvesting to beat water scarcity
Rainwater harvesting which is collection, preservation and obtaining maximum use of rain water, will be the most effective and economical way to meet the challenges of the scarcity of drinking water, said Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardane at a three-day seminar recently held at the Construction Equipment Training Centre (CETRAC), Battaramulla, to create awareness on rainwater h
-
Committee to assess asbestos hazards
An erudite committee was appointed to look into health and environmental hazards of the use of asbestos, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman Dr Charitha Herath told the Daily News. He said that this committee was appointed considering the world trends to abandon the use of asbestos due to their reported negative impacts. He said that prompt action would be taken to control the use
-
Self-sufficiency in livestock by 2016
The Livestock and Rural Community Development Ministry will enhance the livestock production in the country to achieve self-sufficiency in livestock products by 2016, Livestock and Rural Community Development Ministry Secretary A H Gamage said. He said that it was necessary to produce 740 million litres of milk, 200,000 metric tonnes of poulty and 2,000 million eggs annually to be self sufficie
-
Sri Lanka-Israel: MoU to expand agri cooperation
A Memorandum of Understanding for agricultural cooperation was signed between Israel and Sri Lanka yesterday at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. The MoU was signed by Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane and Israel Agriculture Minister Orit Noked . The two countries agreed to cooperate to achieve national and international goals of agricultural development, promote exchange of
-
Environment Ministry to plant 2600 bo saplings
The Environment Ministry will launch a number of environment conservation programmes under the theme of Environment and Buddhism to commemorate the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said. About 2,600 bo-saplings will be planted at 93 temples throughout the country.