INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The National New Paddy Harvest Festival (Aluth Sahal Mangalya), a standard yearly ceremony of offering the very first portion of the freshly
collected Maha season paddy to the spiritual Sri Maha Bodhi, was held this morning (04) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara
Dissanayake at the historic Sri Maha Bodhi facilities in Anuradhapura.The 58th edition of the National New Paddy Harvest Festival was
organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Services under the theme In unison, let us cultivate the land, to
build a self-sufficient nation, following the assistance of the Atamasthanadhipathi, one of the most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka
Thera.This ritual, which goes back to the period of ancient kings, saw the involvement of farmers from across the nation
In accordance with custom, they wished prompt rains and fertile fields and invoked true blessings for a self-dependent and flourishing
economy through agriculture.President Anura Kumara Disanayake initially paid homage and got blessings from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
before signing up with the ceremonial proceedings, according to the Presidents Media Division (PMD)
The sacred procession, which brought the recently harvested paddy from near the historic Sinha Kanuwa in Anuradhapura, reached the sandy
yard of the Sri Maha Bodhi, marking the ritualistic commencement of the New Paddy Harvest Festival.The Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana
Nayaka Thera commenced the routine by filling the golden bowl with the brand-new paddy, after which agents from all provinces added paddy
from their respective areas, symbolically filling the golden bowl.President Anura Kumara Disanayake likewise participated in this
ritualistic moment, amidst the chanting of Pirith by the Maha Sangha, the PMD reported.A vessel of pure bees honey, generally used to the
Sri Maha Bodhi, was ceremonially provided to the President by Deputy Leader of the Vedda Community W.U
Bandiyala Aththo.The vessel of ghee, brought from the historic Saman Devalaya in Sabaragamuwa, was likewise presented to President Anura
Kumara Disanayake, to be used in the popular ghee offering at the Sri Maha Bodhi.The President also got the celebratory plaque of the 58th
National New Paddy Harvest Festival and provided tokens of gratitude to farmer leaders who have made substantial contributions to the
advancement of the countrys farming sector, the statement stated.As part of the initiative to secure a pest-free harvest, the President
participated in the distribution of pest-resistant seed paddy to farming neighborhoods across the provinces.Addressing the subsequent
authorities ceremony, President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the current federal government is working to transform an economy that
He kept in mind that the Paddy Marketing Board is burdened with a debt of Rs
28 billion, while harvested paddy is being delegated spoil in storage.The President emphasized that the existing administration has actually
accepted the obligation of restoring and reorganizing this disordered system
He included that the government expects the assistance not only of the state machinery associated to agriculture but likewise of all farming
communities.He verified the intention to integrate Sri Lankas cultural and conventional systems to recover the legacy of the agricultural
economy and therefore strengthen the nationwide economy.President Disanayake even more stated that the countrys ancient kings achieved
greatness through their contributions to agriculture and irrigation which self-sufficiency in food was a vital consider that success.He
highlighted that sustainable advancement has ended up being a global discourse today and that Sri Lankas Tank Cascade System or Vapi System,
stands as an impressive example of sustainable advancement
The countrys irrigation system, which dates back almost 2,000 years, continues to contribute to the development of farming even today, it
added.As such, the federal government has actually designated Rs
2 billion in the current spending plan to fix up the irrigation system and restoration deal with the North Central Maha Ela Project has
actually currently started to renew the countrys farming market
He included that the government also plans to develop seed farms to produce self-sufficient seeds, while protecting genetic ownership.He
even more stressed the need for reasonable prices for farming fruit and vegetables, both for farmers and customers
Due to enduring market distortions, the government will step in over the next two to three harvesting seasons to guarantee both parties get
fair prices.The President likewise mentioned that the required provisions for such state interventions have been made in the existing budget
Steps have been taken to develop storage capacity to hold 300,000 metric tons of paddy, which is expected to mitigate market distortions
going forward.Among those present at the event were the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya and Chancellor of the Rajarata University, Most
Venerable Ithalawetunuwewe Gnanatillake Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Lankaramaya, Most Venerable Ralapanawa Dhammajothi Thera and
members of the clergy; Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D
Lalkantha; Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Governor of the North Central
Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri; and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, in addition to a large number of
farmer leaders and other dignitaries.-- PMD--
