News
Environment Minister ready to issue gazette notification to protect endangered animal and tree species in SL
by Ifham Nizam
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that he is prepared to issue a gazette notification to take necessary conservation measures to protect endangered animal and tree species in Sri Lanka.
Stressing the importance of protecting the biodiversity especially to protect fauna and flora species, he expressed concern over some 35 species of amphibians in the world becoming extinct in the last decade.
Twenty one of them are endemic to Sri Lanka, the Minister noted, adding that environment scientists have pointed out to him the threat faced by the species.
Madhava Meegaskumbura, the co-chair of the National Amphibian Specialist Group, said that when it comes Sri Lanka’s latest records on the state of the country’s amphibians, of the 116 species currently recognized from Sri Lanka, 72 are threatened with extinction.
“Twenty of them were assessed as critically endangered; which means that unless recovery programs are designed and implemented immediately, they stand a high risk of becoming extinct,” he said
Ecologists and environmental journalists pointed out that some flora and fauna are in danger of extinction due to the lack of proper attention.
Around 10 other endangered tree species have been identified in the country, especially the Crudia Zylanica in Mirigama, Gampaha.
Environmentalists have appealed to the Minister to issue a gazette notification prohibiting the cutting or destruction of environmental resources.
The Minister has asked environmental organizations to provide him with information on the endangered species of flora and fauna.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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