News
People face elephant attacks as pachyderms migratory paths blocked by squatters
By Aruna Bogahawatta
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has said 16 elephant corridors across the country have been obstructed by illegal settlements and constructions. Five elephant corridors in Anuradhapura District alone had been obstructed, he said.
“Recently, we had a meeting with Wildlife officers, and they said that 16 main elephant corridors have been obstructed. Such obstructions, on traditional migratory paths of elephants, have increased in recent years. Because of that the elephants are marooned and it has led to a worsening human-elephant conflict,” he said.
The Minister added that he has asked Wildlife officers to remove people from the 16 elephant corridors and by 2024 this process will be completed.
“We can give these people land somewhere else. There really isn’t much of a point in farming in areas where elephants roam. Most of the crop is destroyed and the government has to keep on making interventions,” he said.
Recently, Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) said the escalation of human-elephant conflict is the result of mass scale deforestation, over the years.
“If you look at districts like Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Vavuniya, there has been large-scale deforestation. Large swaths of forest land have been cleared for development projects and commercial agriculture. A large number of elephants have lost their habitat. And this is the outcome of the unplanned development,” he said.
Unfortunately, most people affected by the human-elephant conflict are under the erroneous notion that the elephants are invading their villages due to the inaction of the Wildlife Department officers, and the police, Chamikara said.
News
Police look for male partner of Chinese woman found stabbed to death at an apartment in Kohuwala
The Mount Lavinia Criminal Investigation Bureau has launched an intensive probe into the death of a Chinese woman at an apartment in Kohuwala.Police said the incident occurred on March 23 at an apartment, on the second floor of the Kent Residence complex, where the victim was found stabbed to death.
Investigators have identified the main suspect as a Chinese national, believed to be the victim’s former partner.
He has been identified as Wang Huiyin (born June 1, 2000), and reported to be holding passport numbers EE6791329 and ER3805969.
Police said the suspect has visible injuries to the fingers of his left hand, which had been treated with stitches.
Police yesterday released a photograph of the suspect and sought public assistance to trace him.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is requested to contact the OIC, Mount Lavinia Criminal Investigation Bureau on 071-8596408 or the OIC, Kohuwala Police Station on 071-8591669.
A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on international trade facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.
Hosted by the IIFT—an institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research—the programme also included engagements with several of India’s key trade and diplomatic institutions.
These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the authority responsible for formulating and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier diplomatic training institute; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing exporters; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements provided participants with valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy and industry interact to facilitate trade and economic growth.
Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging areas such as AI, cyber risk and digital transformation.
The programme offered insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting how chambers of commerce can further leverage their role in helping businesses navigate global markets, contribute to policy discourse, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.
The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean of IIFT and a respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce expressed appreciation to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka and the IIFT for the opportunity.
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya held discussions with Cuban Ambassador in Sri Lanka Patricia Lazara Pego Guerra on March 26 at the Prime Minister’s Office, with focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Cuba.
Both sides reaffirmed longstanding cordial relations and explored avenues to enhance collaboration in key sectors, including education, agriculture and sports.
Discussions centred on expanding cooperation in education through exchange programmes and capacity-building initiatives, aimed at strengthening human resource development in both countries.
Opportunities to broaden ties in agriculture were also examined, with emphasis on knowledge-sharing and the exchange of technical expertise to promote sustainable farming practices.
Strengthening cooperation in sports was also highlighted during the meeting.
Senior officials present included Secretary to the Prime Minister Sagarika Bogahawatta and Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ratnasingam Kohularangan.
The discussions underscored ongoing efforts by both sides to deepen sectoral cooperation while maintaining strong diplomatic relations.
Police look for male partner of Chinese woman found stabbed to death at an apartment in Kohuwala
Chamber delegation completes trade training in India
Lanka, Cuba move to boost ties
MPs put on cyber alert at CERT programme
Unit Trust industry remains stable in February
Import price shocks of the Hormuz Crisis 2026: How will this affect Sri Lanka?
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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