As part of the “Waari Mahima – Ape Urumaya” (Our Irrigation, Our Heritage) national irrigation programme, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha inaugurated the new Ihala Kaniyama water control structure and culvert bridge in Nawagiri Aru, Batticaloa.

Built at a cost of Rs. 45 million, the project will enable cultivation of an additional 500 acres, allowing farmers to plant three crops a year, including paddy and supplementary crops, in response to longstanding farmer requests.

Minister Lal Kantha said the government is working toward achieving full food self-sufficiency by 2028, ending the import of rice varieties such as Keeri Samba. He urged farmers to expand cultivation to meet local demand, highlighting that domestic production of certain rice types remains insufficient.

He added that the current government has taken steps to rebuild the economy, eliminate corruption, and strengthen agriculture as a cornerstone of sustainable national development.

The event was attended by officials from the Irrigation Department and local farmers. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Customs has cleared 75,000 metric tons of imported rice as of December 29, following the government’s decision to allow rice imports without permits. 

Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General, Seevali Arukgoda said the cleared imports include 32,000 metric tons of Samba rice and 43,000 metric tons of Nadu rice. 

Arukgoda also said that measures are being taken to expedite the release of additional rice imports.

The initial decision to allow rice imports without permits was implemented on December 3, 2024, to address the shortage caused by adverse weather conditions affecting local production.  (Newswire)

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The deadline for rice imports permitted by the government expired at midnight on Friday (Dec 20) with private importers bringing in 67,000 metric tonnes during the period.

Sri Lanka Customs said that it collected Rs. 4.3 billion in taxes on these imports.

The imported stocks included 28,500 metric tons of raw rice (Kekulu) and 38,500 metric tons of Nadu rice. Each kilogram of rice was taxed at Rs. 65. (Newswire)

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