The government is taking all necessary measures to protect the Diyagama forest area located in Homagama within the Colombo District,  Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody,
stated on Friday  (9) while delivering a special address in Parliament.

Originally an abandoned plot of land, it has regenerated naturally over the past two decades into a sensitive ecosystem bearing the characteristics of a rainforest. With rapid urbanization, numerous wildlife species displaced across
the Colombo District have now migrated to and found sanctuary in this ecological haven.

Citing field research conducted by a team of scholars from the University of Colombo—including Prof. S.W. Ranwala, Prof. Ileperuma, and Prof. Abeykoon—the Deputy Minister pointed out that nearly 120 species of flora and fauna have been identified in the area. Among them are species endemic to Sri Lanka, as well as rare wildlife such as the red slender loris and pregnant animals close to giving birth, clearly testifying to the rich biodiversity thriving within this habitat.

Located adjacent to the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium and the Japan–Sri Lanka Friendship Baseball Ground, this green zone serves as a vital ecosystem for absorbing carbon
dioxide emitted by athletes and residents in the vicinity.

In addition to directly contributing toward Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the forest also functions as a vital catchment area feeding into the Bolgoda water basin.

Accordingly, following the approval of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee (DCC) with the participation of the Divisional Secretary, government officials, and environmentalists, steps will be taken to submit a Cabinet paper to formally declare this valuable woodland a forest reserve, the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Stranded Iranian ships off SL:

Iran has reminded Sri Lanka that as a member of the UN the government is obligated to fulfil its responsibilities.

Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh in Colombo said that in terms of the Convention on the Law of the Sea (Article 98) as well as SOLAS and SAR Conventions, Sri Lanka couldn’t refrain from providing the needs of the Iranian vessels stranded in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Ambassador Delkhosh was responding to a recent Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s declaration that neither the government nor private companies would provide food, water and medicine to these ships.

The Ambassador questioned how Sri Lanka accepted illegal and unilateral US sanctions against Iran, contrary to the JVP’s much touted historic anti-imperialistic manifesto.

The Iranian vessels are believed to be under constant US surveillance to prevent any supplies from getting through.

The Iranian Embassy made these comments as USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship arrived in Colombo where it received supplies. The US Embassy declared that; ” this goodwill visit provides an opportunity to strengthen ties between US and Sri Lankan sailors while the ship refuels and resupplies before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.”

Ambassador Delkhosh said that even if the above-mentioned Conventions weren’t adhered to, there existed, what he called, unwritten yet binding conventions that compelled Sri Lanka to assist. “It is the Convention of not forgetting past friendship and Convention of Humanitarian Actions.”

The Iranian envoy emphasised that these conventions that exempt no country from extending humanitarian aid, especially Sri Lanka, which, throughout its recent history, has been a recipient of Iranian assistance.

A section of the international media reported that Sri Lanka faced the risk of secondary sanctions from the United States if Sri Lanka allowed supplies to reach the stranded Iranian vessels. Twenty vessels are believed to be stranded in EEZ.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador in Tehran, M.M. Zuhair, recalled how the Iranian government swiftly and decisively provided assistance, amidst western efforts to jeopardise the military campaign, by undermining the national economy.

As the war entered a crucial stage, the government found itself in an extremely difficult situation. Following talks at the highest level, Iran provided Sri Lanka with an interest-free and concessionary oil credit facility worth $1.05 billion to help obtain crude oil requirements, President’s Counsel Zuhair said.

If not for the rolling credit line, easing severe foreign exchange pressures, the Rajapakasa government could have faced an insurmountable challenge, the former diplomat said, adding that, unfortunately, those in decision-making positions now have forgotten the past. (SF)

The National Centre for Cyber Security has warned of a major fraud perpetrated, targeting those seeking to enter foreign universities. The fraudsters have used social media to deceive both students and their parents. The text of the press release issued yesterday: ” Sri Lanka CERT has received complaints from several parents and students who have lost hundreds of thousands of rupees after falling victim to advertisements posted on social media offering admission to foreign universities.

You may come across advertisements on social media claiming that students can gain admission to foreign universities, obtain visas to travel abroad, secure work permits for several years, and eventually even obtain citizenship in those countries.

Some of these advertisements are completely fraudulent. When you call the telephone numbers provided in such advertisements, the information you receive may sound highly attractive and convincing.

The scammers present themselves as representatives of some of the world’s leading universities. They claim that students can gain admission by paying only a registration fee and the tuition fees for the first semester. They may further claim that students can then find employment to cover their accommodation and food expenses. They may also tell students that they have opportunities to obtain scholarships for subsequent semesters.

The scammers may also instruct victims to create an email account or join a WhatsApp group. The information shared through these channels may include videos, photographs and other details about the relevant universities. The scammers present this information so convincingly that it may be difficult to suspect that the videos and photographs have been copied or stolen from online sources. The documents provided for registration may also closely resemble genuine documents issued by the respective universities.

They may then provide foreign bank account details for transferring the required payments. In this way, the scammers attempt to eliminate any remaining doubts that the victims may have.After victims transfer hundreds of thousands of rupees as registration fees and tuition fees for the initial study period, the scammers disappear.

Therefore, Sri Lanka CERT urges the public not to fall victim to such advertisements posted online and to select only legitimate university representatives who provide services through lawful and recognised channels.

Sri Lanka CERT further urges the public to carefully verify the authenticity of all documents provided by such individuals, as well as the bank account details to which payments are requested, before making any financial transactions.”