News
Environmentalists vow to go to highest courts to block return of elephants
By Ifham Nizam
Environmentalists and their lawyers yesterday vowed to file a writ application in the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal against the Attorney General’s Department and the Criminal Investigations Department over the returning of some elephants back to their keepers.
Environmental Lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardana stressed that on the part of AG’s Department there was a grave lack of concern. “They should have investigated …there can’t be a regulation against the law.”
He said that they were looking at filing a writ petition in the Court of Appeal or a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC). Elephants were moved out of the Pinnawala and Udawalawe Elephant Shelters, back to their owners, following a decision taken by the Magistrate’s Court following CID submissions, on the advice of the Attorney General.
Since 2015, 34 such elephants, including baby elephants, were taken into custody and held with the DWC and the National Zoos.
“However, the Court ruling on 06 September allows the return of 14 of these elephants back to their so-called original owners – although we regard it as stolen property being returned to thieves,” claimed the former Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) President Rukshan Jayewardene.
Director-General of the Department of National Zoological Gardens Ishini Wickremesinghe yesterday stepped down from her post. Her resignation comes amidst a controversial Gazette that paved the way for the return of several elephants currently held in state protection, to their previous owners.
The government claims the Gazette was brought in as a means of protecting elephants.
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
News
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
It has been recognized that there is potential to develop selected places within. the Pelawatte Sugar Factory, owned by Lanka Sugar (Private) Company Limited, as locations of tourist attraction.
Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship
Development to call for expressions of interest following the prescribed procurement guidelines to identify suitable investors and to invite project proposals from eligible investors to develop the selected locations under Public-Private Partnership method.
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy incresed
Showers in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts
Govt. extends ban on LTTE
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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