News

Environment Minister stands by courageous Forest Officer

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/12

By Ifham Nizam

There has been a serious lapse on the part of those who conducted the environmental study of the Central expressway project, and they have not paid attention to the existence of rare plant species, Crudia zeylanica or Sri Lankan Legume, in the area earmarked for clearing, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, the Minister said it has been revealed that the Crudia Ceylania or Pandu Karanda plant near the Daraluwa Railway Station in Gampaha was a very rare plant. He added that attention should have been paid to it and the Ministry of Environment had decided to launch an investigation to find out why the plant was not taken into consideration when the study was carried out.

The Minister said he saw nothing wrong in the course of action Forest Officer Devanee Jayatilaka had resorted to in protecting the critically endangered endemic plant. “As an environmentalist and responsible citizen, she has every right to fight for the protection of the fauna and flora of this country,.”

It has been reported that some high-ranking administrators are contemplating disciplinary action against Devanee, claiming that she acted in a high-handed manner in trying to protect the plant.

Wildlife Department Director General and the Road Development Authority had been instructed not to take any action in this regard until a final decision was taken regarding the rare plant species, Minister Amaraweera said, adding that he did not endorse decision to hand over the task of translocating the plant to a private company.

Amaraweera said there were two options—changing the path of the expressway and removing the plant and replanting it in a suitable ecosystem scientifically.

He said that engineers engaged in constructing the expressway had pointed out that a change in the design of the road project would entail a huge cost.

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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.

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 and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee 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.

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Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.