Former Minister Johnston Fernando was yesterday granted bail by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court after being in remand custody for four months over the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry.

When the case was taken up, the Magistrate ordered that Fernando be released on four sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

The court further directed that the case be recalled on July 10.

Fernando, along with his elder son Johan Fernando, younger son Jerome Fernando, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, had been arrested and remanded following an investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

The prosecution has alleged that the lorry in question was used for activities connected to an ethanol company, reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 2.5 million to the State.

Thousands of pets across Sri Lanka have been left traumatised and hearing-impaired following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations, with more than 10,000 cats and dogs affected by the intense noise of firecrackers, according to the Veterinary Surgeons Association for Humane Management of Animal Population.

The Association warned that the annual festive practice of lighting high-decibel fireworks continues to inflict serious harm on animals, yet remains largely unaddressed by authorities.

According to veterinary specialist Chamith Nanayakkara, animals are far more sensitive to sound than humans, making them especially vulnerable during such celebrations.

“Firecracker noise typically ranges between 120 and 175 decibels. Levels above 140 decibels can cause permanent inner ear damage in animals,” he said.

According to the Association, the impact is not limited to hearing loss. The sudden explosions trigger extreme fear responses, causing pets to flee homes in panic. Many animals become lost, while others are killed or injured in road accidents after running onto busy streets.

Birdlife has also been severely affected. According to veterinary observations, the shockwaves from repeated explosions can disrupt nesting and even damage eggs. Disoriented birds are left exposed to predators, further threatening local ecosystems.

The Association noted that despite repeated warnings over the years, there has been little progress in regulating firecracker use or raising public awareness about its impact on animals.

Animal welfare advocates stressed that urgent measures are needed, including stricter controls on high-noise fireworks and greater promotion of animal-friendly alternatives.

By Ifham Nizam

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has extended the deadline for applications for the “Presidential Environment Awards – 2026” to May 15, following requests from prospective applicants.

In a statement issued yesterday, the CEA said the extension was granted to enable a wider pool of participants to submit entries across multiple sectors that recognise environmental excellence and sustainable practices in Sri Lanka.

Applications are open under three main categories — Industry, Projects, and Institutions, Media and Social sectors — each encompassing a broad range of sub-sectors and disciplines.

The Industry Sector is divided into Large Scale and Small & Medium Scale segments.

The Large Scale category accommodates 16 industry types, including waste management facilities, chemical plants, vehicle servicing centres, food and beverage manufacturing, hotels, textile processing, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, rubber-based industries, animal farms, apparel, tea processing, packaging with printing, mineral industries, timber manufacturing, and metal and machinery-related industries.

The Small & Medium Scale category mirrors these, excluding hospitals and packaging industries with printing.

Under the Project Sector, applicants can submit entries in Renewable Energy Generation Projects, which include Mini Hydro, Solar Power (excluding rooftop systems), and Wind Power projects — areas seen as critical to Sri Lanka’s transition toward cleaner energy.

The Institutions, Media and Social Sector features eight sub-sectors, including schools, government and private institutions, local authorities engaged in solid waste management, police environmental units, non-governmental environmental organisations, and environment-friendly innovations from schools, universities and open categories.

The Media Sector, a key component in promoting environmental awareness, includes Mass Media and Social Media categories, with further divisions for individual and institutional contributions, as well as Facebook pages and YouTube channels. Evaluation will be conducted across all language media collectively.

The CEA noted that applications and detailed guidelines are available via its official website, while further assistance can be obtained through designated contact numbers and officers.

An expert panel representing relevant fields will evaluate submissions, with their decisions deemed final. Winners will be awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit accolades under the Presidential Environment Awards scheme.

In line with sustainability principles, the awards themselves will be crafted from recycled aluminium cans, reinforcing the programme’s environmental ethos.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in October 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage of the President.

This year’s programme will align with the government’s policy vision, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

CEA Chairman Professor Tilak Hewawasam urged stakeholders across sectors to seize the opportunity to showcase initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development in Sri Lanka.