News
No endemic birds on critically endangered species list
By Ifham Nizam
Out of the 19 species of birds listed as critically endangered, five are breeding residents while the remaining 14 are breeding residents with a migrant population, and the Red List category applies only to the breeding population, an avifauna expert has said.
None of the endemic species have been listed as Critically Endangered species. Out of the 14 species of breeding residents with migrant populations, the breeding population of 11 species is restricted to the Palk Bay coastal zone. Eight out of this 11 species are known to breed only in the Adams Bridge Marine National Park.
Out of the remaining three species, breeding population of blue-tailed bee-eater is restricted to the southeastern part of Sri Lanka.
Professor of Zoology Dr. Devaka Weerakoon, one of the foremost authorities of Realist Data studies/birds told The Island that out of the 32 breeding residents with migrant populations assessed, 23 (75%) were threatened, which indicates that the breeding populations are small and restricted to few locations, which is the reason for placing them in one of the three threat categories. However, the migrant population of all these species are listed as least concern on a global scale.
Launching the National Red List: The Conservation Status of the Birds Sri Lanka 2021, the expert stressed that completing the Red List assessment is only the end of the beginning.
Prof. Weerakoon also said that there are number of follow up activities that should be done to accrue the full benefit of Red List assessments. These include improving the overall Red Listing process, improving the National Species Database, updating the Global Red List for the endemic species, implementing programmes to recover populations of threatened species, develop and promote a research agenda for threatened species and mainstreaming the national Red List into ongoing cross-sectoral initiatives.
Among the many taxa that are found in Sri Lanka, birds are perhaps the most attractive faunal group. The avifauna of Sri Lanka comprises, 522 species belonging to 23 orders, 89 families, and 266 genera. Of these 522 species, 244 have breeding populations of which 34 are restricted to Sri Lanka (endemic). This rich avifauna of Sri Lanka is globally recognized with six Wetlands of International Importance 70 Important Bird Areas and 82 Key Biodiversity Areas.
The high diversity seen among avifauna of Sri Lanka can be attributed to a wide range of topographic and climatic conditions that prevail in Sri Lanka that has given rise to some unique bioclimatic zones. Further, abundance of water due to large number of natural and manmade wetlands, association with multiple land masses during its evolutionary history, the current location at the southern end of the central Asian flyway and Sri Lanka being a continental island have also contributed to the evolution of a wide range of terrestrial, aquatic, coastal and marine habitats that can provides an array of different ecological niches that have been invaded by birds.
The Red List is one of the best indicators of the health of a species as it is an assessment that takes into consideration most of the internal and external factors that influence the long term survival of the species being assessed. It is a very useful tool that provides the basis for planning conservation action as well as policy and research directions.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the current government is attempting to suppress freedom of expression and media freedom to lead the country towards authoritarian rule.
In a video message on Thursday (25), Premadasa said that in a democratic country, the four main pillars safeguarding democracy are the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and the independent media, but, at present, the government is using the police to violate both the democratic rights of the people and the rights of police officers themselves.
He said that the government is working to establish a police state that deprives citizens of their right to access truthful information.
“For democracy to be protected, media freedom must be safeguarded, and space must be given to independent media. Instead, the government is interfering with the independent media process, using the police to suppress and intimidate independent media,” he said.
He noted that even when independent media present their views based on reason, facts, and evidence, the government attempts to suppress them. Such actions, he said, amount to turning a democratic country into a police state. “Do not suppress the voice of the silent majority, the independent media,” he urged.
Premadasa emphasised that independent media represent the voice of the silent majority in the country and must not be suppressed.
“Media repression is a step towards authoritarian rule, and the people did not give their mandate to create an authoritarian regime or a police state. If the government attempts to abolish democratic rights, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will stand as the opposition against it,” he said.
The Opposition Leader further alleged that the government was interfering with police independence, stating, “Political interference has undermined the independence of the police, making it impossible for them to serve impartially. Suppressing freedom of expression is an attempt to lead the country towards authoritarian rule.”
Premadasa pointed out that the media has the right to reveal the truth, and interfering with that right is a violation of the rights of 22 million citizens.
Vegetable prices at the Peliyagoda Manning Wholesale Market surged to unusually high levels yesterday (26), raising concerns among consumers as the festive season drives up demand. The situation is expected to persist over the next few days, a spokesman for the Manning Market told The Island.
He said a sharp increase in the number of buyers visiting the wholesale market, ahead of upcoming festivities, had resulted in a sudden spike in demand, prompting wholesale traders to raise prices significantly. The price hikes have affected a wide range of commonly consumed vegetables, placing additional pressure on household budgets.
According to market sources, the wholesale price of beans climbed to Rs. 1,100 per kilogram, while capsicum soared to Rs. 2,000 per kilogram. Green chillies were selling at around Rs. 1,600 per kilogram. Prices of other vegetables, including beetroot, brinjal (eggplant), tomatoes, bitter gourd, snake gourd and knolkhol, also recorded unusually high increases.
The spokesman alleged that despite the steep rise in prices, vegetable farmers have not benefited from the increases. Instead, he claimed that a group of traders, who effectively control operations at the wholesale market, are arbitrarily inflating prices to maximise profits.
He warned that if the relevant authorities fail to intervene promptly to curb these practices, vegetable prices could escalate further during the peak festive period. Such a trend, he said, would disproportionately benefit a small group of middlemen while leaving consumers to bear the brunt of higher food costs.
By Kamal Bogoda ✍️
The Hakgala National Botanical Garden, which was closed in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, has been reopened to tourists from yesterday, the Ministry of Environment indicated.
The Ministry said the reopening was carried out in accordance with recommendations and guidelines issued by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) and the DisasterManagement Centre (DMC) after safety assessments were completed.
However, due to the identification of hazardous ground conditions, several areas, within the garden, have been temporarily restricted. These include the pond area, near the main entrance, and access roads leading towards the forest park where potential risks were observed. Warning signs have been installed to prevent visitors from entering these zones.
To ensure the safety and convenience of both local and foreign visitors, the garden’s management has introduced a special assistance programme, with staff deployed to guide and support tourists.
The Hakgala Botanical Garden was closed as a precautionary measure during the disaster situation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The Ministry noted that the garden has now been safely reopened, within a short period, following remedial measures and inspections, allowing visitors to resume access while maintaining necessary safety precautions.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
A few showers may occur in the Northern, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Sajith warns country is being dragged into authoritarian rule
Wholesale mafia blamed for unusually high vegetable prices
Cyclone-damaged Hakgala Botanical Garden reopened with safety measures
Holiday travellers generate record revenue for expressways
Another casualty from underworld warfare succumbs to his injuries
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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