Business
Ministry of Agriculture pays bulk of fertilizer credit owed by farmers to private sector
By Ifham Nizam
Nearly 93 percent of the Rs. 23,000 million fertilizer credit owed by farmers to the private sector that was left unpaid for five years was paid on their behalf last year, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.
The minister told journalists recently that until 2021, due to the purchase of fertilizer on credit, the Ministry of Agriculture was supposed to pay farmers’ arrears amounting to Rs.23,000 million to the private sector.
Amaraweera added: ‘Due to the intervention of President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, 95 percent of the credit amount, resulting from the purchase of chemical fertilizers from the private sector, was settled.
‘Accordingly, by last year, the government provided the necessary financial allocation to pay an amount of Rs.18,000 million.
‘Businessmen were able to provide chemical fertilizers to the local market without any deficit in the last season due to the financial strengthening of the private sector due to the repayment of the credit.
‘Currently, only Rs.5000 million is payable as arrears. Steps will be taken to pay the amount as soon as the legal issues related to the payment of the amount are resolved.
‘Meanwhile, consequent to the government’s decision to provide funds to the farmers’ accounts to purchase fertilizer, the government was also able to save a huge amount of money spent on fertilizer distribution.
‘In the 2022 Yala season, the government had to spend nearly Rs. 6 billion in transport charges for the distribution of fertilizer countrywide and then during the 2022 high season also the government had to spent Rs. 7 billion.
‘But in the 2023 Yala season, vouchers were issued to farmers to buy fertilizer and in the main season, the money was credited to the farmers’ accounts. Due to this, the government was able to manage effectively a huge amount of money that had to be spent on distributing fertilizer.’
Recently, the minister surveyed a farm in the Hungama Bataatha area where the successful cultivation of vegetables was carried out. This enabled him to discuss issues faced by farmers.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
