Sri Lanka, Aug. 4 -- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to urgently intervene to rescue the debt-ridden Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories, which are now on the verge of collapse.

Speaking at a meeting held with sugarcane farmers and factory workers at Sri Chandra Madhuraramaya in Buttala on August 2, Premadasa warned that both factories have been crippled by mounting financial liabilities and that farmers and workers are now facing a dire situation.

He emphasised that payments due to sugarcane suppliers and transportation providers particularly lorry owners-have not been settled for several months. He also highlighted that the factories have limited their sugarcane intake, leading to a near shutdown. We will n...