The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries is rolling out drone technology to apply pesticides in paddy fields across 15 districts during this Yala season.&nbsp; The districts slated for drone use include Hambantota, Monaragala, Ampara, among others. This initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, aims to slash costs and enhance efficiency.&nbsp; The expense of drone pesticide application stands at Rs. 978 per acre, a substantial decrease compared to the Rs. 7500 per hectare incurred through manual labor. The Government intends to extend this program to all 25 districts in the upcoming Maha season.&nbsp; This modern approach not only fosters higher yields but also safeguards the well-being of farmers.

Govt. deploys drone tech to paddy fields

The World Bank is set to host a Roundtable on Advancing Energy Transition on 29 May in Colombo.&nbsp; Preliminary discussions took place last week at the Ministry of Power and Energy. The event aims to draw investments in renewable energy, expedite energy transition, introduce green hydrogen programs, and amplify private investments.&nbsp; Attendees will comprise energy and financial experts, representatives from development agencies, industry stakeholders, and officials from pertinent ministries.

World Bank to host energy transition roundtable in Colombo

Here are some key facts about Mohammad Mokhber, 68, Iran's first vice president who, based on the country's constitution, is expected to become interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. * As interim president, Mokhber is part of a three-person council, along with the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary, that will organise a new presidential election within 50 days of the president's death. * Born on Sept. 1, 1955, Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the last say in all matters of state. Mokhber became first vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president. * Mokhber was part of a team of Iranian officials who visited Moscow in October and agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia's military, sources told Reuters at the time. The team also included two senior officials from Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an official from the Supreme National Security Council. * Mokhber had previously been head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader. * In 2010, the European Union included Mokhber on a list of individuals and entities it was sanctioning for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities". Two years later, it removed him from the list. * In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department added Setad and 37 companies it oversaw to a list of sanctioned entities. * Setad, whose full name is Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, or the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, was set up under an order issued by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei's predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It ordered aides to sell and manage properties supposedly abandoned in the chaotic years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and channel the bulk of the proceeds to charity. Source : Reuters

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran's interim president?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, at the United In Diversity Bali Campus on 19 May.&nbsp; The talks delved into the ‘Global Blended Finance Alliance’, Sri Lanka’s ‘Tropical Belt Initiative’, the ‘Blue Economy’, and the seaweed industry.&nbsp; Both leaders highlighted the importance of collaboration among nations of the Global South and committed to forming a bilateral task force to advance these endeavors.

President Wickremesinghe meets Indonesian minister to boost maritime and climate cooperation

The All-Ceylon Prison Officers’ Union has decided to engage in trade union action by reporting ‘sick leave’ from today (20) until May 22, demanding an increase in wages.&nbsp; It is reported that the trade union action has been launched demanding an increase in wages by Rs. 25,000.&nbsp; The trade union action initiated by the university's non-academic staff further continues. The General Secretary of the Peradeniya University’s Trade Union Federation, T. A. D. Suranjeeva stated that the entire university system has been affected due to this.

Prison Officers' Union launches TU action

Due to South-West monsoon conditions which are gradually establishing across the island, prevailing showery and windy conditions will continue further, the Met. Department stated. Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Mannar district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island, it said. Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliyaand Mannar districts. Fairly strong winds about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the island, according to the Meteorology Department.

Heavy showers and windy conditions to continue further

<ul><li>A helicopter crash in northern Iran is feared to have claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and several top officials.</li></ul> Iran faces a potential political upheaval following the feared death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday, 19 May. State media reported the incident, which also involved Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other senior figures, as search teams scoured the rugged terrain of Iran's Varzaqan region. The crash took place shortly after the helicopter, part of a three-aircraft convoy, lost communication during a flight to Tabriz where President Raisi was scheduled to launch an oil project. While two of the helicopters landed safely, the president’s did not. <blockquote>Initial reports from the crash site are grim, with Iranian state television and the semi-official Mehr News citing authorities from the Red Crescent, stating there were "no sign of life".</blockquote> Footage of the wreckage on a steep hillside broadcasted by FARS News Agency further compounded fears, as no survivors have been located at the site. The incident not only involved high-ranking officials but also the governor of East Azerbaijan and Raisi’s security team. President Raisi, 63, was a key figure in Iran, known for his hardline, conservative stance since his election in 2021. His leadership, marked by stringent measures against dissent, positioned him as a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. This incident thus casts a long shadow over Iran’s political landscape, with First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber next in line for succession. The area's difficult weather conditions and challenging geography have hindered the search and rescue operations, despite assistance from neighboring countries Turkey and Russia. Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, emphasised the arduous conditions faced by the search teams. It is worth noting that this incident comes just a month after President Raisi's diplomatic visit to Sri Lanka, where he attended the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

Iranian President  Ebrahim Raisi feared dead in helicopter crash, a month after Sri Lanka visit

‘No sign of life’ at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran’s President, others

<ul><li>We are ready for Committee debate – Kabir Hashim</li><li>We will take a decision soon says MP Herath, questions why SJB delayed their response</li></ul> The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday (19) issued a fresh set of dates for debate between a committee of experts and another debate between the leaders of its party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP).This, barely a day before the NPP-set deadline – of today (20) for the debate to be held. The tug-of-war regarding the proposed ‘debate’ has resulted in many disagreements and posturing and finger pointing between the two opposition parties, both vying to replace the SLPP-UNP led Government at the upcoming polls.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a letter to the NPP’s Executive Committee Member, former Parliamentarian (MP), Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, SJB Head of Operations, MP Nalin Bandara proposed the dates 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 May&nbsp; for the debate between the economic councils of the two parties, while proposing the dates 3,4,5,6, and 7 June for the leaders' debate.&nbsp;When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (19), SJB Opposition MP Kabir Hashim, who is also a member of the party’s economic council, said that his team is always ready for the debate. Therefore, he said there is no hesitation within the party regarding the two debates.The NPP, which proposed 20 May as the final date for the debate, is yet to decide on the newly proposed dates by the SJB, said its MP, Vijitha Herath. Speaking to The Daily Morning, Herath noted that the NPP will take a decision regarding the dates after having a discussion in the days to come. “After giving them a dozen days, we asked them to set up a date before 20 May. But they did not. They had more than enough time to decide. Now, they have sent a few days again, proposing that the economic council debate be held first. We will be taking a decision soon, and it will decide the future of this debate,” he said.However, speaking to the media last week, Dr. Jayatissa said that the NPP will not take part in the debate if the SJB refuses to hold the debate before 20 May, claiming that they are continuously disregarding the dates proposed by the NPP.Last month (22 April), the NPP officially informed the SJB that they are prepared to hold the proposed debate between the leaders of the two parties — SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and JVP and NPP Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake — on one of the following days: 7 May, 9 May, 13 May, or 14 May. In a letter sent by Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to SJB General Secretary, Opposition MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the NPP said that certain misunderstandings and speculations might be raised among the public regarding the debate if setting out a date is further delayed. The letter further said that a venue, a television channel, and the duration of the debate can be decided after setting out a specific date.&nbsp;However, following the SJB’s refusal to accept the given dates, the NPP declared 20 May as the final date for the debate.

Govt. deploys drone tech to paddy fields

World Bank to host energy transition roundtable in Colombo

World Bank to host energy tran ...

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran's interim presiden ...

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the m ...

President Wickremesinghe meets Indonesian minister to boost maritime a ...

President Wickremesinghe meets ...

Prison Officers' Union launches TU action

Prison Officers' Union launche ...

Heavy showers and windy conditions to continue further

Heavy showers and windy condit ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi feared dead in helicopter crash, a mo ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Rai ...

‘No sign of life’ at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran’s Presiden ...

‘No sign of life’ at crash sit ...

SJB /NPP debate saga: SJB issues fresh dates, seeks comm. debate first

SJB /NPP debate saga: SJB issu ...

World Bank to host energy transition roundtable in Colombo

World Bank to host energy tran ...

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the man set to become Iran's interim presiden ...

Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the m ...

President Wickremesinghe meets Indonesian minister to boost maritime a ...

President Wickremesinghe meets ...

Prison Officers' Union launches TU action

Prison Officers' Union launche ...

Heavy showers and windy conditions to continue further

Heavy showers and windy condit ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi feared dead in helicopter crash, a mo ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Rai ...

‘No sign of life’ at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran’s Presiden ...

‘No sign of life’ at crash sit ...

SJB /NPP debate saga: SJB issues fresh dates, seeks comm. debate first

SJB /NPP debate saga: SJB issu ...

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World Bank to host energy transition roundtable in Colombo

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Who is Mohammad Mokhber, the m ...

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President Wickremesinghe meets Indonesian minister to boost maritime a ...

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Prison Officers' Union launches TU action

Prison Officers' Union launche ...

Heavy showers and windy conditions to continue further

Heavy showers and windy condit ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi feared dead in helicopter crash, a mo ...

Iranian President Ebrahim Rai ...