<ul><li>Rs 7.5 b in interest-free loans extended to small and medium-scale mill owners</li><li>Measures target potential supply disruptions during Nov-Dec rainy season</li></ul> The Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry stated that it is prepared to deal with a possible rice shortage in the market in this November and in December through measures including providing Rs 7.5 billion in interest-free loans to small- and medium-scale mill owners to purchase and store paddy, and releasing rice stocks held by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) if a shortage develops.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy subject Minister R M Jayawardena said that the Government had made similar arrangements last year (2025), when rice collected through the PMB was released to the market in April, helping prevent a shortage and a rise in prices.Explaining the seasonal difficulties faced by the rice industry, he said that October, November and December are generally rainy months in several major rice-producing Districts, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Batticaloa and Kurunegala. "Mill owners generally use dryers to dry paddy, whereas farmers usually dry their harvest in the sunlight. However, during the rainy season, mill owners say that they can’t dry paddy and reduce rice production. They then try to increase prices in the market," he said.As a measure to address this situation, he said that the Government had last year provided small- and medium-scale mill owners with interest-free loans to purchase paddy and then to release rice stocks to the market. "We have provided loans worth of Rs 7.5 billion to them this year (2026) too. We asked them to purchase paddy and maintain stocks for the coming months. If large-scale mill owners attempt to create any shortage of rice, we will get small- and medium-scale mill owners to release rice to the market. Rice stocks held by the PMB will also be released."When queried regarding the possible quantity of rice that would be released to the market, Jayawardena said that the quantity released would depend on the extent of any shortage that developed.

Upcoming festive season demand: Rice shortage fears trigger stockpile plan 

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has recommended a 1.46% increase in electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter of this year (October to December), following a preliminary review of a tariff revision proposal submitted by the National System Operator (NSO).The recommendation is lower than the 2.88% increase initially sought by the NSO, which cited a projected revenue shortfall of Rs 4.4 billion for the quarter.According to the PUCSL, the total forecast cost of electricity supply for the three-month period stands at Rs 157.3 billion, while expected revenue from electricity sales is estimated at Rs 154 billion. A further revenue deficit of Rs 1.1 billion from the previous period has also been taken into account.However, following its preliminary assessment, the PUCSL reduced the proposed tariff increase to 1.46% after making adjustments to generation capacity costs submitted by Electricity Generation Lanka and revising the estimated additional costs associated with the use of substandard coal during the second quarter of 2026.The review also takes into consideration electricity generation forecasts, fuel prices, hydropower availability, renewable energy contributions, battery energy storage system costs and additional expenses submitted by Electricity Distribution Lanka.The NSO has forecast electricity demand of 4,796 gigawatt-hours for the fourth quarter, with major hydropower expected to account for 32.34% of generation, followed by coal at 25.68% and other renewable energy sources at 28.81%.Meanwhile, the PUCSL has initiated a public consultation process to obtain stakeholder views on the proposed tariff revision before making its final decision.Members of the public wishing to participate in the consultation can register by calling 0770399119.

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electricity tariff hike 

A total of 208 Police officers have been arrested in connection with various offences, including drug-related crimes, while nearly 1,500 others have been suspended from service over various misconduct, Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Attorney-at-Law F U Wootler has revealed.Speaking during a television programme, Wootler acknowledged that corrupt and unsuitable officers remained within the Police Department, adding that measures were being taken to identify and remove them while ensuring that strict legal action was taken against those involved in wrongdoing.He said the Police were taking steps to address drug-related activities and misconduct within the Department.Meanwhile, Wootler revealed that 11,131 children, including 233 girls, had been arrested between 30 October 2025 and yesterday (4).He also said that the Police were closely monitoring suspected drug distribution activities in and around schools and private tuition classes, particularly those involving crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.According to him, investigations were under way into reports that narcotics were being distributed through items such as ice cream, cotton candy and ‘Sarawita’.Intelligence officers have been deployed to monitor such activities and prevent further distribution, he said.Wootler also urged parents to remain vigilant and pay close attention to changes in their children's eating habits, behaviour, conversations and social circles, noting that such changes could indicate possible involvement in drug-related activities.

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspended 

Sugar production at the Sevanagala unit of the State-owned Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd has declined significantly, falling from 16,215 metric tonnes (MT) in 2020 to 8,091 MT last year (2025), according to information provided by the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development.Opposition Parliamentarian H M Dharmasena raised a question in Parliament yesterday (4) regarding the State-owned sugar manufacturing facilities in Monaragala.Responding on behalf of the subject Minister, Chief Government Whip Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that there are two State-owned sugar manufacturing facilities in the Monaragala District, namely the Sevanagala and Pelwatta units of the Lanka Sugar Company.The production figures submitted by him show that the Sevanagala unit recorded its highest output during the six-year period under review in 2021, producing 17,796 MT of sugar. Production subsequently fell to 12,628 MT in 2022, before increasing slightly to 13,704 MT in 2023. It then declined to 11,930 MT in 2024 and dropped further to 8,091 MT in 2025.The Pelwatta unit, meanwhile, recorded comparatively higher production. It produced 23,582 MT in 2020, increasing to 30,381 MT in 2021. Production then fell to 24,110 MT in 2022, before rising to 28,077 MT in 2023. The unit produced 27,791 MT in 2024 and 27,361 MT in 2025.The figures also show a significant difference in the number of sugarcane suppliers to the two units, with 4,955 farmers supplying the Pelwatta unit compared to just 39 farmers supplying the Sevanagala unit.Meanwhile, Dharmasena questioned the failure to commence operations at a biofertiliser manufacturing plant established on premises owned by the Lanka Sugar Company at considerable expense to the State.He said that although the facility had been completed, it had not commenced biofertiliser production and was instead being used to store sugar."This plant was established to manufacture fertiliser using waste generated by the distilleries during ethanol production. More than 350,000 litres of wastewater are discharged daily from a distillery, with more than 13 litres of wastewater generated for every litre of alcohol produced," he said.

Sevanagala sugar production sees significant drop 

<ul><li> Include 1/4 passenger train services&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul> A total of 17,977 train services have been cancelled in the Anuradhapura Railway Division between 1 June 2020 and 30 September 2026, including 13,061 passenger services, according to information released by the Railways Department under the Right to Information Act.Figures provided by the Division's Assistant Transport Superintendent, S. Maginthan, show that 53,928 passenger train services had been scheduled during the period, of which only 40,867 were operated. This means that nearly one in four scheduled passenger services in the Division was cancelled.The Division also recorded 1,809 cancellations among scheduled freight train services, 1,355 among oil train services and 1,752 among mixed train services during the same period.Of the 4,614 freight train services scheduled, 2,805 were operated. In the case of oil trains, 4,636 of the 5,991 scheduled services were operated, while 4,148 of the 5,900 scheduled mixed train services were operated.In total, 70,433 train services across the four categories were scheduled in the Division during the period, of which 52,456 were operated and 17,977 were cancelled.Train delays and cancellations have continued to disrupt commuters who depend on railway services for their daily journeys, particularly those travelling to work and educational institutions.The reliability of railway services has been a subject of concern for some time, with the Railways Department and the Transport Ministry stating on several occasions that steps were being taken to address the issues affecting operations.

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura Division train journeys cancelled 

The Government is planning to procure around 100 electric buses from China for public transportation, while the necessary charging infrastructure is being developed ahead of their expected introduction early next year, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry Secretary, engineer Dr. Asiri Karunawardena said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Dr. Karunawardena told The Daily Morning yesterday (4) that Sri Lanka had not yet introduced electric vehicles into its public transportation system, but that the Ministry is now working towards procuring electric buses. He said that arrangements are being made to establish the necessary charging points and supporting infrastructure, adding that work on these preparations had already commenced. The buses are expected to begin operating most probably by early 2027. However, he said that the procurement process had not yet been finalised and that the total cost of the project and its funding arrangements remained undecided. The project could be funded through either a grant or a loan, depending on the arrangements made.Meanwhile, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Spokesperson Jayanat Herath said that promoting electric vehicles required a Government policy, as this is not the responsibility of the electricity sector regulator. He said that the PUCSL's role is limited to regulating the electricity sector, including matters relating to electric vehicle charging stations and the charges imposed on consumers using such facilities. Herath said that the PUCSL had already introduced the necessary rules and regulations for charging stations and had made arrangements to allow them to operate without obtaining licences. The PUCSL also regulated the charges imposed on consumers by these stations. He added that decisions on matters such as Customs duties and import taxes on electric vehicles fell outside the PUCSL's authority and are the responsibility of the Government and other relevant institutions, including the Finance Ministry.

100 e-buses to be imported from China

The Civil Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction has accused the Government of proceeding with plans to lease State-owned estate lands to the private sector without consulting the people living on those estates, claiming that the initial stages of the process have already been carried out.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (4), Collective Convenor Selvaraja Rajasegar said that estate lands comprise both State-owned and privately owned properties, with some State-owned lands currently leased to private companies while ownership remains with the Government.He claimed that residents were being kept uninformed of the process until after prospective buyers had been selected, leaving them with little opportunity to raise concerns about the future of their homes and livelihoods."By now, some of the lands belonging to the estates are being privatised, and it is only after the selection process of the prospective buyers has taken place that the people living in those estates get to know about it. When an estate is privatised and given on lease or fully privatised, it is not only the land that is being leased, but also the people who live there, their livelihoods, including their kovils," he said.Rajasegar warned that privatisation could also restrict residents' everyday activities, including planting trees and digging trenches, depending on the conditions imposed on the leased properties.He further said that while the Government had pledged to provide houses to the Malaiyaha community, the proposed changes to estate ownership and management could further restrict the freedom of those living there.However, he stressed that the Collective was not opposed to privatisation in principle, but insisted that residents must be consulted before decisions affecting their homes and livelihoods were made.As an alternative, he proposed that people living on estate lands be provided with separate plots of land with full ownership rights.The current Government's manifesto has pledged to secure land rights for the Malaiyaha community. However, on 27 October, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a series of policy measures to lease underutilised State-owned plantation lands and properties to the private sector on a long-term basis.

Estate land lease plans raise fears over Malaiyaha rights 

Lung cancer cases among both men and women have increased by nearly 50 per cent over a 10-year period, according to an analysis of data from the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases in Welisara and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Consultant Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Saman Iddagoda said.Addressing the media at the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday (4), Dr. Iddagoda said that lung cancer is becoming one of the major cancers among men and is also moving towards the top 10 cancers affecting women. He further said that, based on his analysis of data from Welisara and the NCCP, lung cancer accounted for the highest number of cancer-related deaths in Sri Lanka.A major concern is that most patients sought medical attention only when the disease had reached an advanced stage. The majority of lung cancer patients treated at the Welisara Hospital are diagnosed at Stages III or IV, he said.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka recorded 2,142 lung cancer cases in 2023, with 1,521 cases reported among men and 621 among women, according to the National Cancer Registry.Consultant Community Physician at the NCCP, Dr. Hasarali Fernando said that lung cancer is the third most common cancer among men in Sri Lanka, after oral and prostate cancers, accounting for approximately 12% of all cancers reported among men. She said that smoking remains one of the major preventable risk factors, with around 80%–90% of lung cancer cases associated with smoking, according to her estimates. Preventing smoking and encouraging smokers to quit could therefore help prevent a substantial proportion of cases. However, she stressed that lung cancer is not limited to smokers, as non-smokers could also develop the disease. Exposure to second-hand smoke is another important risk factor. She identified both outdoor and indoor air pollution as additional contributors to lung cancer. Outdoor air pollution is often linked to exhaust fumes from vehicles and emissions from industries, while indoor air pollution could result from the use of firewood and kerosene for cooking, particularly in poorly ventilated homes where smoke could accumulate. She noted that the World Health Organisation had identified both petrol and diesel engine exhaust fumes as carcinogenic to humans. Other risk factors included exposure to radon, a radioactive gas found in soil and some building materials, as well as occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances such as asbestos and silica. Certain long-term respiratory conditions could also increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Dr. Fernando emphasised that lung cancer could be treated successfully if detected at an early stage, making awareness of its risk factors and the importance of early diagnosis essential. She stressed that avoiding smoking is one of the most important steps that people could take to reduce their risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer doubles over decade 

A protest organised by the People's Struggle Movement against the proposed Prevention of State Terrorism Act (PSTA) and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (POCA) was held near the Parliament Roundabout yesterday (4), amid heightened Police security in the area.Police presence was increased at Polduwa Junction ahead of the demonstration, which began at the junction and proceeded towards the Parliament access road. Police had obtained a court order restricting the protest, which the demonstrators reportedly refused to accept.The protest, which was also supported by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), caused heavy traffic congestion around the Parliament Roundabout and Polduwa Junction.The demonstrators accused the Government of seeking to introduce repressive legislation that would undermine democracy and curtail civil liberties. They called on the Government to withdraw the proposed PSTA Bill, warning that its enactment could pave the way for authoritarian rule.Protesters also accused the Government of going back on its promises to protect people's rights, arguing that the proposed legislation would be used to suppress those who had brought it to power.Carrying placards and banners opposing the proposed laws, the demonstrators called for the withdrawal of both the PSTA and POCA. Some protesters also demanded the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), calling for an end to what they described as arbitrary arrests and inhumane detention practices.People's Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige helped lead the demonstration and called on trade unions and advocates of democracy to join the campaign against the proposed legislation. PHOTO Krishan Kariyawasam

Upcoming festive season demand: Rice shortage fears trigger ...

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electricity tariff hike

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electri ...

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspended

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspe ...

Sevanagala sugar production sees significant drop

Sevanagala sugar production se ...

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura Division train journeys cancelled

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura ...

100 e-buses to be imported from China

100 e-buses to be imported fro ...

Estate land lease plans raise fears over Malaiyaha rights

Estate land lease plans raise ...

Lung cancer doubles over decade

Lung cancer doubles over decad ...

Protest against PSTA and POCA

Protest against PSTA and POCA

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electricity tariff hike

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electri ...

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspended

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspe ...

Sevanagala sugar production sees significant drop

Sevanagala sugar production se ...

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura Division train journeys cancelled

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura ...

100 e-buses to be imported from China

100 e-buses to be imported fro ...

Estate land lease plans raise fears over Malaiyaha rights

Estate land lease plans raise ...

Lung cancer doubles over decade

Lung cancer doubles over decad ...

Protest against PSTA and POCA

Protest against PSTA and POCA

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PUCSL recommends 1.46% electricity tariff hike

PUCSL recommends 1.46% electri ...

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspended

208 cops arrested, 1,500 suspe ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Sevanagala sugar production sees significant drop

Sevanagala sugar production se ...

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura Division train journeys cancelled

2020-2026: 17,977 Anuradhapura ...

100 e-buses to be imported from China

100 e-buses to be imported fro ...

Estate land lease plans raise fears over Malaiyaha rights

Estate land lease plans raise ...