2026-09-09
The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated in Parliament that plans have been prepared to modernize the Government Printing Corporation by gradually phasing out old and outdated machinery that has been in use for more than 50 years and procuring efficient equipment equipped with modern technology.
She further stated that the modernization programme aims to establish a modern printing unit equipped with advanced technology, capable of targeting international markets and providing Smart Security Printing capabilities.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Major General (Retired) G.D. Sooriyabandara.
The Prime Minister stated that the Government Printing Corporation currently employs 445 permanent employees, along with a further 21 employees on a contractual basis.
She further noted that the printing facility of the Government Printing Corporation, which is currently operational in Wataraka, Padukka, carries out printing work based on orders received from the Government. These services include the printing of school textbooks and modules, as well as security printing, including the printing of provincial examination papers, lottery tickets and confidential documents.
In addition, the Corporation undertakes the printing of SPC exercise books, printing requirements of various government institutions, other commercial printing work, private printing orders and election-related printing. The Corporation also maintains a network of SPC outlets across several districts of the country, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Government derives numerous benefits from having a printing institution operating under the Ministry.
Accordingly, these benefits include the presence of the Government Printing Corporation as a factor that helps regulate market prices, maintain market standards and quality, meet the requirement for a reliable Security Printing facility, and maintain the Corporation as the only state-owned enterprise in the printing sector.
She further highlighted the Corporation’s role in meeting the need for large-scale printing capacity, ensuring access to government-owned printing facilities, and reducing the costs associated with printing activities.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that the continued existence of the Government Printing Corporation provides employment opportunities as a state institution, maintains a skilled and trained workforce, and enables the Government to derive financial benefits as its state share.
2026-10-22
A range of research activities is being carried out to improve productivity in pepper cultivation, including studies on genetic characterisation and evaluation, disease and pest management, crop improvement, plant nutrition management, agronomic practices, post-harvest technology, value addition and measures to minimise the impact of climate change, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said.The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament while responding to questions raised for oral answers by Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law, Member of Parliament.He further stated that Gampaha, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota, Kurunegala, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura and Kegalle have been identified as the main pepper-producing districts in Sri Lanka.The pepper varieties currently cultivated in the country include the local variety, Panniyur 1 and local selections such as Dingiri Rala, Kohukumbure Rala and Bootawe Rala.Several programmes have been introduced to expand pepper cultivation. These include the free provision of planting materials, investment assistance for establishing new cultivations, the distribution of free pepper plants under small-scale home gardening programmes, and the provision of technical knowledge and other assistance to improve productivity.Measures are also being taken to help pepper cultivation adapt to changing climatic conditions through the introduction of suitable irrigation methods. In addition, investment assistance is provided for equipment and systems to prevent animal damage, while efforts are being made to strengthen disease and pest management.The Deputy Minister noted that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are being promoted to ensure that pepper products meet international standards. Investment assistance is also provided for post-harvest technology and equipment to improve product quality and encourage the production of value-added products.Furthermore, initiatives are being implemented to convert pepper cultivations into organic farming systems to facilitate access to overseas markets. Technical guidance and investment assistance are provided to obtain the necessary organic certification and other relevant certifications. The establishment of export-oriented agricultural villages is another measure being pursued to expand the sector.The Deputy Minister further stated that farmers are provided with knowledge on pepper cultivation through media channels and awareness programmes. In addition, advisory services are offered to pepper producers to support exports, while initiatives are being implemented to connect producers with suppliers and buyers.
2026-10-22
The total length of electric fences currently in place covering wildlife elephant corridors and surrounding areas in Sri Lanka is 5,787.89 kilometres, while the construction of such electric fences is carried out along the boundaries of wildlife reserves, depending on the physical conditions prevailing in the respective areas, according to a response tabled in Parliament by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi.The above information was revealed in response to Questions for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama.According to the response, a 27-member committee has been appointed with Cabinet approval to formulate plans for 2026 to address the human-elephant conflict and threats posed by wild elephants. The committee is currently preparing the relevant plan.A total of Rs. 618.89 million was spent during 2025 on the construction and maintenance of electric fences. The expenditure covered the construction of electric fences, guard huts, purchase of electric fence equipment, food allowances for Civil Security personnel and fuel for the maintenance of electric fences, maintenance equipment, as well as the maintenance of electric fences.
2026-10-22
A total of 10,611 prisoners and 28,408 suspects are currently held in prisons, while the highest number of prisoners—3,423—are between the ages of 30 and 40, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said.The Minister made this revelation in Parliament on the Oct. 21st, in response to a Question for Oral Answers raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohitha Abeygunawardena.According to the Minister, 2,860 prisoners are between the ages of 40 and 50, while 2,160 prisoners are between 20 and 30 years of age. A further 1,561 prisoners are between the ages of 50 and 60.Meanwhile, statistics presented by the Minister regarding prisoners incarcerated for failing to pay fines revealed that 1,454 prisoners are currently in prison because they are unable to pay the fines imposed on them. Of this number, 421 prisoners owe fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000, while 220 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 25,000.In addition, 361 prisoners are serving prison sentences due to their inability to pay fines ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000, while 245 prisoners owe fines between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 100,000. The number of prisoners unable to pay fines exceeding Rs. 100,000 stands at 207, according to the statistics presented in Parliament.
2026-10-22
An amount of Rs. 655.824 million was spent in 2025 on the treatment and vaccination of patients affected by rabies, according to a written response tabled in Parliament by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.The Minister made this disclosure in response to questions raised by Hon. Parliamentarian Dinesh Hemantha, seeking oral answers.According to the response, 14 people died in 2025 after contracting rabies as a result of dog bites. Meanwhile, the total allocation for Public Health Veterinary Services in 2025 was Rs. 220 m, stated in the Minister’s response.The Minister further revealed that Rs. 51 million has been allocated for the rabies control programme implemented by the Public Health Veterinary Services Division in 2026. The programme includes a range of activities, including vaccination and sterilisation of dogs, as well as public awareness programmes.As of August 30, 2026, a total of 5,951 stray dogs in four districts had been sterilised under the programme. The Minister's response further stated that the rabies control programme is also being implemented in other districts.
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