The Sri Lankan government will commence a program to promote indigenous seed varieties among farmers from November 18. Read more in this November 2013 edition of the Monthly Sri Lanka State of the Environment Report published by the South Asia Environment Portal. Read and Share.

LAND, AGRICULTURE, GRAZING LANDS AND ANIMAL CARE
Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene told Parliament that the government will commence a program to promote indigenous seed varieties among farmers from November 18. The government of Japan has granted approximately Rs.282 million (Japanese Yen 220 million) to Sri Lanka as food grant assistance through the World Food Program (WFP) to support the ongoing School Meals Program in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

POLLUTION
A Sri Lankan court issued notice on the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Board of Investment (BOI) and the controversial glove maker Venigros (Pvt) Limited over allegations of water pollution by the company in the Rathupaswala area of Gampaha district.

FLOODS, DROUGHTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS
Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told Parliament that 550,237 persons of 147,361 families in Sri Lanka had been displaced by floods and landslides last year. The Sri Lankan government had spent Rs. 180 million to provide the victims with relief, the minister said, responding to a question raised by Anutradhapura District UNP MP P. Harrison.

HABITAT
The first stage of the housing project meant for unauthorized dwellers in the Colombo city of Sri Lanka will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 18. This housing project named Mihindusenpura will consist of 500 housing units. Sri Lankan Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha, ordered the Forest Conservator General (FCG) to take legal actions against any individual acting contrary to the orders by the minister, to immediately stop the construction of a road near the Sinharaja World Heritage site. Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals jumped by 27.9 percent in October this year compared to the same period last year, the data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.

HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
Sri Lanka experienced the largest epidemic of dengue fever with as many as 70,000 cases and almost 600 deaths during the years 2009 and 2010. The Health Ministry of the government of Sri Lanka, undertook measures to contain the dengue epidemic by establishing the ‘Presidential Task Force for Dengue Control’ that ensured much needed collaboration and coordination. Latest statistics reveal that 25% of the population in Sri Lanka is suffering from Diabetes and the figure is estimated to be doubled by 2050, the Health Ministry said. Sri Lanka's Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena says the government has taken steps to enhance the country's health sector by increasing budgetary allocations to the sector every year.

ENERGY
Japan based Sumitomo Corporation has shown interest in contributing to Sri Lanka’s Power sector development by assisting the coal power plant now under construction in Trincomalee and a new thermal power plant. In order to overcome the power crisis in Sri Lanka and to contribute to the development in Sri Lanka, ADMO Solar has opened new ways of power generation, using solar energy. A solar power plant in Sri Lanka, has been set up at Buruthakanda in Hambantota under a State sponsored clean energy program.

LIVING RESOURCES
Wild elephants invading villages in Matale from the Wasgamuwa National Park bordering Matale district in Sri Lanka is a threat to villages.