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A collision involving a school transport bus and a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus was reported this morning (13) along the Colombo–Kataragama main road in Dikwella, near the Polgahamullla private garment factory.

According to reports, the school transport bus carrying schoolchildren was travelling from Hambantota towards Ambalantota when the accident occurred. The SLTB bus was reportedly heading in the direction of Kataragama at the time of the collision.

The incident caused concern among residents and motorists travelling through the busy roadway during the morning hours.

Authorities stated that further information regarding injuries and the extent of property damage has not yet been confirmed.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to Indians to revive working from home, buy less gold and limit foreign travel to deal with a surge in global energy prices because of the continuing crisis in the Middle East.

Modi said the austerity measures, reminiscent of the Covid era, would reduce India’s fuel use and help save foreign exchange.

India imports 90% of its oil and its crude bill has seen a multi-billion dollar spike since the US and Israel’s war on Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow Gulf chokepoint, shut for more than two-and-a-half months now.

Analysts described Modi’s appeal, made at a public event in the southern city of Hyderabad on Sunday, as the “most drastic” so far.

“Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one’s life on the border. In these times, it is about living responsibly and fulfilling our duties to the nation in our daily lives,” Modi said.

“In the current situation, we must place great emphasis on saving foreign exchange,” he added.

Urging people to use public transport such as the metro, Modi suggested people carpool to conserve fuel. He also asked farmers to reduce use of fertiliser by half.

The effect was visible on Indian markets on Monday - analysts say Modi’s comments was one of the reasons the benchmark Sensex index fell more than 1,000 points in early trade amid fears of prolonged economic disruption.

India has so far avoided raising petrol and diesel prices at the pump despite mounting pressure on state-run fuel retailers. But the prolonged conflict and disruption to oil supplies have begun to strain the broader economy.

The impact has been visible in a number of industries, with hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk in factories that make glass and plastic products and tiles. Dwindling fertiliser supplies have raised concerns about lower farm produce and higher food prices.

But the effect has been most stark on the Indian rupee, which has hit record lows in recent weeks, increasing the cost of imports and adding pressure on inflation.

Analysts say Modi’s remarks indicate the government may soon issue some directives to curb energy use. A price revision of petroleum products could also be on the horizon.

India’s opposition leaders criticised Modi’s remarks, saying it pointed to poor planning on the part of the federal government.

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi said the government was shifting “responsibility onto the people” and escaping accountability themselves.

“[Modi’s suggestions] aren’t sermons - these are proofs of failure,” he said in a post on X.

The war in Iran and the choking of the Strait of Hormuz has affected economies across the globe, especially in Asia, with many countries reeling under rising fuel costs. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has described it as the “largest supply disruption in history”.

In the days following the start of the war, a number of countries introduced measures to limit the impact on consumers and the economy.

China ordered its oil refineries to stop exporting fuel for the time being, but petrol still became expensive in the country and some Chinese airlines cut flights as jet fuel prices went up.

Some Australian states have made public transport free or slashed fares by half to encourage people not to drive.

The Philippines declared a national emergency in March, with its government offering subsidies to transport drivers, reducing ferry services and implementing a four-day work week for civil servants.

Sri Lanka too introduced fuel rationing and temporarily turned to a four-day week, shutting down schools, colleges and other government institutions on Wednesdays.

Source: BBC

The government has decided to provide an additional fertilizer subsidy to small-scale tea plantation owners as concerns grow over rising global fertilizer prices and increasing import costs, Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne announced.

The Minister stated that the Treasury has already allocated the required funds for the subsidy program, aimed at easing the financial pressure on tea growers affected by escalating agricultural expenses.

Speaking on the current situation, Vidyaratne noted that although Sri Lanka is not facing a fertilizer shortage at present, global market conditions could drive prices higher in the coming months.

He explained that fertilizer prices have increased internationally due to prevailing global tensions, while shipping charges and maritime insurance premiums have also surged, pushing up the overall cost of imports.

Despite the anticipated price hikes, the Minister assured that the government would maintain a continuous supply of fertilizer across the country.

Vidyaratne pointed out that the government had earlier introduced an additional subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per hectare for paddy farmers as relief amid the ongoing global conflict situation. The assistance applies to a maximum of two hectares, allowing eligible farmers to receive up to Rs. 10,000.

He further stated that a similar relief measure has now been extended to small-scale tea plantation owners, with an additional subsidy of Rs. 5,000 being granted to support the sector.

The Minister emphasized that the government’s objective is to reduce the financial burden on farmers while ensuring uninterrupted access to fertilizer despite rising international costs.

Relentless heavy rainfall across the country has caused 16 major reservoirs and 10 medium-sized reservoirs managed by the Department of Irrigation to spill, raising concerns for residents living in low-lying and reservoir-adjacent areas.

Director of Irrigation (Water Management) Eng. H.M.P.S.D. Herath stated that several key reservoirs in multiple districts are currently overflowing due to rapidly increasing water levels.

Among the major reservoirs spilling are the Rajanganaya Reservoir in Anuradhapura, Sorabora Wewa in Badulla, and the Lunugamwehera, Weerawila, and Weheragala reservoirs in Hambantota. Reservoirs including Deduru Oya and Magalla in Kurunegala, Wemadilla and Nalanda in Kandy, and Alikota Ara in Monaragala have also exceeded capacity.

According to the Irrigation Department, intense rainfall in the Kala Wewa River Basin during the past few days triggered overflow conditions in the Rajanganaya, Dewahuwa, and Wemadilla reservoirs.

Authorities have opened 12 spill gates of the Rajanganaya Reservoir, releasing water at a rate of 18,500 cubic feet per second.

Heavy rainfall in the Kirindi Oya River Basin has also led to overflowing conditions in the Lunugamwehera, Tissa Wewa, Weerawila, Yodha Wewa, and Alikota Ara reservoirs.

Six spill gates of the Lunugamwehera Reservoir have been opened to discharge water at 7,100 cubic feet per second, while six spill gates at the Weheragala Reservoir are releasing over 2,400 cubic feet of water per second into the Menik Ganga.

Meanwhile, medium-sized reservoirs currently spilling include Angamuwa, Bomburuella, Maha Siyambalangamuwa, Saddhatissa, Malimpotha, and Marathamadu reservoirs.

The Irrigation Department has urged the public, especially those living in vulnerable low-lying areas, to remain alert as water levels and spill gate releases may continue to fluctuate depending on future rainfall conditions.