A 44-year-old man was fined Rs. 70,000 by the Kalutara Magistrate yesterday for keeping a baby crocodile illegally in his possession, Wildlife Officials said.

The convict, a resident of Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama, was arrested by officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, following information received by the Hikkaduwa National Park Headquarters. The Magistrate imposed the fine after considering the facts presented by Wildlife Officers.

The court also directed the Attidiya Wildlife Veterinary Unit to take custody of the baby crocodile, release it into a suitable natural habitat and submit a report on the matter.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, crocodiles are strictly protected reptiles under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and the possession, capture or trade of the species, without official permission, is a punishable offence.

Wildlife authorities said investigations had revealed a growing trend of individuals illegally keeping baby crocodiles to display them to foreign tourists and earn money.

The Department said Wildlife Officers are continuing regular raids after surveillance operations to identify and apprehend offenders involved in such illegal activities, while urging the public to report incidents of wildlife exploitation to the relevant authorities.

More than 10,000 tonnes of garbage have accumulated in the Gampola town area following the recent flooding, and steps are currently being taken to remove it, Central Provincial Local Government Commissioner Chamila Attapattu has said.

Responding to growing public concern over lack of waste removal in the town, Attapattu said the situation had arisen after floods, caused by the overflowing of the Mahaweli River. She noted that Gampola was a densely populated commercial hub with a large number of major business establishments and warehouses.

“As a result of the flooding, goods and property in both commercial premises and private homes were destroyed, and these have now added to the volume of mixed waste accumulating in the town,” the Commissioner said.

She explained that waste management efforts have been hampered by several challenges, including public opposition and objections from various groups whenever disposal operations are carried out. Additional difficulties emerged after the Udunuwara waste disposal site was affected by a landslide, while damaged roads have prevented heavy vehicles from accessing the area.

Despite these constraints, Attapattu said that with government intervention, a safe site has now been identified for the disposal of waste from Gampola and Udunuwara. The Gampola Urban Council, she added, is working round the clock to clear the accumulated garbage and restore normalcy.

To ensure that daily life and commercial activity in the town can resume, waste that had piled up along the main streets in the city centre was temporarily collected at several selected locations. These sites, widely referred to in the media as “garbage mountains,” are now being cleared, with large quantities of waste already transported to the designated disposal facility.

Attapattu expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by local government authorities from other parts of the country. Local councils from the Southern, Western, Eastern and other provinces, along with several institutions within the Central Province, have deployed machinery and equipment to support the clean-up effort. The Central Provincial Council, the national government and volunteer organisations have also extended support.

By SK Samaranayake

The World Bank Group has expressed deep sorrow over the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, extending condolences to families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. The institution also acknowledged the resilience shown by affected communities and commended the Government of Sri Lanka for its swift response to save lives and initiate recovery efforts, the World Bank said in a statement.

Full text of the statement: The World Bank Group is deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. Our thoughts are with the people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and with the communities now facing immense hardship. We commend the remarkable resilience shown by Sri Lankans in the face of this disaster and the Government’s swift action to save lives and launch recovery efforts.

In response to the Government’s request, the World Bank is making up to US$120 million in emergency support available by repurposing funds from ongoing projects. This will support recovery and help restore essential services and infrastructure—including health care, water, education, agriculture, and connectivity—in the areas hit hardest by the cyclone. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group will continue to strengthen the private sector by providing advisory support and strategic investments in key sectors—such as agriculture, manufacturing and logistics, including support to MSMEs—to create jobs and drive economic recovery.

To guide recovery efforts, a Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) assessment is already underway in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR). This rapid assessment will provide credible estimates of disaster impacts to inform early decisions and help target response and recovery efforts. We are also working closely with the Government as it plans the broader recovery, including the creation of the new “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund and the next phase of post-disaster needs assessments.

“Our hearts go out to every Sri Lankan affected by Cyclone Ditwah. We are inspired by how communities across the country have come together to support each other during this difficult time,” said Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “The World Bank Group is committed to helping Sri Lanka restore livelihoods, accelerate economic recovery, and rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.”

Looking ahead, the World Bank Group stands ready to work with the Government to mobilise additional resources, based on the findings of the GRADE assessment and the financing needs for recovery and resilient reconstruction. We will also make necessary adjustments in our future programmes to accommodate the impacts of this crisis.

The World Bank Group is committed to making sure support reaches those who need it most—quickly, transparently, and effectively. We are putting robust oversight mechanisms in place with implementing agencies and local authorities. At the same time, we continue to coordinate closely with development partners to ensure that our collective efforts have the greatest possible impact and help Sri Lanka recover and rebuild for the long term.