News
Speeding train kills six elephants
by Ifham Nizam
Six elephants including three calves died when they were hit by a speeding train in Gal Oya on Wednesday night. Acting Wildlife Director General Ranjan Marasinghe emphasised the need to adopt measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
“This is a huge loss to our wildlife. Six elephants were killed in a single accident, which highlights the growing threat posed by railway tracks running through elephant habitats. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and working on measures to prevent further incidents.”
According to preliminary reports, a herd of seven elephants was crossing the railway track when a passenger train struck them. Despite warnings and past incidents in similar areas, elephant-train collisions remain a pressing issue in Sri Lanka, where wildlife corridors intersect with railway lines.
Local authorities, along with wildlife officers, responded immediately to the scene.
Marasinghe stressed the need for increased collaboration between the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Sri Lanka Railway Department. “We must find long-term solutions, including warning systems, speed restrictions in high-risk areas, and improved elephant crossings to prevent such heartbreaking incidents,” he said.
Wildlife conservationists and environmental activists have long called for advanced technologies such as thermal cameras, sensor-based alert systems, and designated wildlife corridors to protect elephants from railway accidents.
In light of the tragedy, the Wildlife Department is urging residents, train operators, and authorities to work together in reporting elephant movements and ensuring safety precautions are followed.
“We are committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife, but we need the cooperation of all stakeholders. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for immediate and effective action,” Marasinghe added.
Sri Lanka, home to one of the largest populations of Asian elephants, has been facing increasing human-elephant conflicts due to habitat loss and infrastructural expansion. Conservationists stress that unless urgent steps are taken, similar incidents will continue to occur.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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