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
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
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