News
The woman behind return from Lanka of ailing elephant
Former Suphan Buri MP Kanchana Silpa-archa is one of the people who played a key role in securing the return to Thailand from Sri Lanka of an ailing male elephant, Saksurin, which is tentatively scheduled to be flown back home on July 1st.
In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS, Kanchana, the older sister of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut, recalled that, in August last year, she received a call from Sittidet Mahasawangkul, a veterinarian at the Forest Industry Organisation, asking for help to bring Saksurin back to Thailand for medical treatment, as the elephant had a badly infected wound, its living conditions at a temple in Sri Lanka were bad and it was not being given proper care.
She said that she was saddened when she saw a picture of the elephant, which was sent to her by Sittidet, and consulted her brother, Varawut, who is overseeing the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
She also said that the Thai ambassador in Sri Lanka was very helpful and arranged for a team of Thai vets to visit Sri Lanka to take care of Saksurin which, she added, marked the start of the process to bring the animal back home for proper treatment.
Thanks to the kindness of the abbot of the temple in Sri Lanka, Saksurin was relocated to a zoo, to be taken care of by a Thai mahout, Thongsuk Mali-ngam, who was flown from Thailand, initially for a period of one month, which was extended to almost six months, said Kanchana.
Thai vets were sent to Sri Lanka twice to treat the nasty wound on the elephant’s hip, once in August last year and again in November.Kanchana said that all the vets and others involved agreed that the best way to treat the elephant would be to bring it back to Thailand, initially, in January this year, but it was delayed because the elephant was in musth.
Ambassador Pote in Sri Lanka was instrumental in arranging the considerable amount of paper work for the elephant to be flown back, required because it is a species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).Meanwhile, in Thailand, an air transport cage was built.
Kanchana admitted that, while the task of repatriating the elephant may not appear to be difficult, without the cooperation of several governmental agencies, including state funding of a 24.7 million baht special budget, the Thai embassy in Sri Lanka, the Forest Industry Organisation, Minister Varawut, the mahout and the Sri Lankan’s who are assisting, this could not have happened.
She said that Saksurin is luckier than the many other elephants which have been sent overseas and have not had a chance to return home.
A team of officials from the Forest Industry Organisation, the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will be flown to Sri Lanka ahead of time to prepare for the elephant’s flight back to Thailand.Upon arrival in Thailand, Saksurin will be sent to the elephant hospital in Lampang for treatment and a peaceful retirement.( Thai PBS)
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.
The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.
Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.
News
PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.
In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.
The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.
At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.
Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.
Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.
The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Pakistani army chief in Tehran amid bid to restart US talks
Sri Lanka repatriates 238 Iranian sailors stranded after US torpedo attack
Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo
PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in seas north of Mannar
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