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Home » NewsCultivators armed to protect their nuts
In the Puttalam District, drought-hit coconut cultivators were yesterday invited to the Coconut Cultivation Board’s district office to discuss a range of issues including the impact of the drought, the fertiliser issue, and attacks by insects, monkeys and giant squirrels. But the main attraction appeared to be air rifles and locally produced guns that could [...]
BOI tasked to get foreign investors for mines
The Cabinet has approved several proposals by President Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at promoting foreign and local investment in the country’s mineral resources sector in a bid to boost revenues earned through the long-neglected and stagnant sector. In an effort to curb what industry sources said was rampant corruption, the Cabinet has further sanctioned shifting the [...]
Ministry withholds India-made dialysis mini caps after detection of fungus
The Health Ministry has withheld a batch of mini caps–a medical device used in a type of dialysis carried out through the abdomen lining–following the detection of fungi in an unused sample and after hospitals reported a high number of peritonitis, or inflammation, episodes among patients. The suspect batch was part of a large US$ [...]
Lanka caught in Indo-China rift over proposed visit of Chinese research vessel
Indo-China tensions have once again surfaced testing Sri Lanka’s neutrality in the Indian Ocean and becoming a headache for President Ranil Wickremesinghe — whether to grant approval for the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 to enter Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and engage in scientific studies amidst renewed Indian protests that this is [...]
Next Census this year on digital tablet computers
For the first time in its history spanning more than 150 years, the Department of Census and Statistics is to use digital tablet computers, alongside traditional printed documents, for data collection for the 15th Census of Population and Housing 2023-2024. The listing phase of the census is set to begin later this year, followed by [...]
Human activity suspected in dry zone forest fires
The dry zone has been ravaged by more fires this week, destroying forests and wildlife, and the authorities accuse organised groups, including farmers, land grabbers, and hunters, of starting the fires. It is alleged that the culprits were using the prevailing drought to their advantage as they carried out their destructive activity. Their reckless behaviour [...]
Import of duty-free vehicles: No concessions for diplomats
The Department of Trade and Investment Policy under the Finance Ministry has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the suspension of the import of vehicles for public sector employees on concessionary terms is still effective and therefore would apply to the diplomatic service as well. The Department officials said they had sent out the [...]
Former Presidential Secretary passes away
Former senior administrative officer and an ex-Presidential Secretary K.H.J. Wijayadasa passed away on Thursday. A private funeral ceremony was held on the same day, according to his wishes. Mr. Wijayadasa who was born at Gangodawila, had his primary education at Gangodawila B.T.S School and later obtained education from Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya. He entered the Peradeniya [...]
Foreign monks rejoice at degree ceremony
Foreign Buddhist monks are seen taking pictures at the BMICH premises after receiving their degrees at the University of Kelaniya’s 137th convocation ceremony. Pix by Eshan Fernando
President promotes e-ticket during visit to Yala Park
President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday visited Yala National Park and emphasised the need for an online ticketing system to allow quick access to the park. The President also took part in an event where water was released into artificial ponds meant for park animals. Park officials fill the ponds on a daily basis with water brought [...]
Price of rice set to rise after drought destroys 50,000 acres of farmland
More than 50,000 acres of paddy and agricultural land have been destroyed due to the drought, according to estimates so far, Agricultural Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told the Sunday Times. The dip in paddy production is likely to have an impact on rice prices in the future, he warned. At least 13 districts have been adversely [...]
No rain may mean household taps may run dry
A dry spell has taken hold of multiple localities in Sri Lanka owing to below-average rainfall in the past few months, and water shortages in reservoirs are having an impact on the drinking water supply. Water levels in tanks have dropped 28.7% in contrast with the long-term average of the past decade, and below the [...]
Bush meat racketeers poison water holes; several animals killed; meat sold to people
Poachers are making use of the prevailing drought conditions to kill more animals by poisoning water holes, wildlife officers told the Sunday Times. They said they have detected a racket where a group of poachers used the tactic of poisoning water holes in the Yala National park bordering the Sella Kataragama area. They said that [...]
1.5mn cubic metres of water to be released next week
A decision has been reached to release 1.5 million cubic metres of water from reservoirs for drinking purposes next week, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Deputy General Manager Anoja Kaluaarachchi said. The decision has been conveyed to the Irrigation Department. It was taken to save water in upper catchment areas, including the Maussakelle [...]
Digitisation of ID under Indian grant: Personal data collection by Indian firm raises concern
Moves to award the tender to develop Sri Lanka’s digital national identity (ID) card project system to a foreign company have raised concerns over the protection of citizens’ personal data. The Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project (SL-UDI) has been touted by the Presidential Secretariat as “a crucial milestone in the country’s digitisation drive” and [...]
Newly arrived capybaras await date with zoo visitors
Zoo authorities are planning to exhibit the two pairs of newly obtained capybaras—the largest species of rodent—at Pinnawala Zoo and Dehiwala Zoological Garden after a month in quarantine, Zoo Director-General Thilak Premakantha told the Sunday Times. He said that as capybaras are considered one of the friendliest animals, they plan to keep one pair at [...]
CAA warns consumers: Don’t fall for expired products in new packaging
The Consumer Affairs Authority has warned the public to be vigilant after detecting a high number of cases where traders have sold adulterated spices and outdated food in new packaging. CAA Chairman Shantha Niriella said the CAA had set up a new unit to crack down on traders who resorted to unscrupulous methods to make [...]
Wildlife experts urge rollout of delayed plan to ease human-elephant conflict
“If humans had limited access to food and water and their movement was restricted, they would rebel; this is what the elephants are doing,” said Prabash Karunatilake, president of the Collective of Wildlife Officers. Sri Lanka had recorded 266 elephant deaths as of August 11, 2023. Of this, the Anuradhapura wildlife region reported 53 deaths, [...]
Study reveals decline in Golden Jackal population numbers
New findings from ongoing research have revealed a significant decrease in the population of golden jackals in Sri Lanka over the past two-decades. Uthpala Jayaweera, a researcher in Carnivore Ecology, disclosed that the study, overseen by Professor Sampath Seneviratne, a Zoology expert at the University of Colombo, and conducted in collaboration with Chandika Jayaratne, aimed [...]
Rs 35,000 course to help train and certify mahouts
The Department of National Zoological Gardens is calling for applications for a course to train and certify elephant keepers and mahouts, Director General Thilak Premakantha said. The course will cover theoretical and practical aspects of caring for captive elephants, ensuring their wellbeing, and the safety of both the elephant and its handler. The move came [...]
Schoolchildren: A lack of food, a lack of performance
The issue of food security in the country is leaving a mark on students’ nutrition, affecting their health and well-being, and leading to learning loss, say education and nutrition experts. Principals’ Union of Sri Lanka Secretary Mohan Parakrama Weerasinghe said: “Child malnutrition is currently at 50%. Food that school children bring are low in nutrients. [...]
President calls for national security strategy review
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized the critical need for a comprehensive review of the country’s national security strategy. “This review will encompass a broad range of factors,including emerging economic trends and the impacts of climate change. To facilitate this review, a specialised team has been appointed. The team’s mandate is to thoroughly assess the nation’s [...]
Loud and clear call for transparency in medical supplies situ
Simple was the ceremony but powerful, timely and evidence-based the recommendations delivered in these troubled times when Sri Lanka’s health sector is facing numerous challenges. The absolute need for transparency and accountability in all processes including registrations, purchases, pricing and usage of medicines was one of the key recommendations put forward by the newly-inducted 5th [...]
Special dengue control programme being implemented ahead of Esala Perahera
A special extensive Dengue control programme has been launched in Kandy ahead of the Esala Perahera. A surveillance programme was carried out from Wednesday to Friday in Kandy as part of the campaign. The National Dengue Control Unit, of the Ministry of Health inspected government institutes religious places, schools, and public places in Kandy. The [...]
ST story prompts cleaning of Pelawatte Lake
Following the exposure in the Sunday Times on the dumping of garbage and the pollution of the Pelawatta Lake (Rampalawatta Lake), steps have been taken by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and the Sri Lanka Navy to clean the area. The Sunday Times reported on June 25, 2023 the garbage pile up along the [...]
Met Dept hit by shower of failures; COPA strictures
The Meteorological Department is struggling to ride out a storm amid a series of shortcomings that have led to inaccurate data and incomplete projects and stressed the need to update technology. These shortcomings were exposed during a recent meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) in Parliament. The meeting, presided over by COPA Chairman [...]
Hot, hot, hot
Story and pix by Akila Jayawardena The hot weather conditions are having an impact all over the country, whether in the city or in the outstations. Even foreign visitors are affected by extreme heat conditions. These pictures were captured in the Colombo city giving an idea on how people were trying to overcome the extreme [...]
Heart trouble for Lanka’s children with doctor exodus
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The children of Sri Lanka are in trouble. The statistics with regard to the brain drain from niche paediatric specialties are chilling. Taking the specialty of Paediatric Cardiology, the Sunday Times found that the projected cadre requirement for 2024/2025 (the next two years) is 18. But the ground situation right now is [...]
Ali wali–Only about 11 tame elephants will be left by 2040
Diyawadana Nilame says people should be encouraged to breed tamed elephants, precarious situation if immediate, effective measures are not taken Wildlife Department tells Government to send the elephants to Pinnawala Orphanage for breeding Environmental conservationists raise ethical and practical challenges By Jayanie Madawala The lack of domesticated elephants has trumpeted a debate over the lack of domesticated [...]