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Picketing campaign at Zoo put off

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By Ifham Nizam

Dehiwela National Zoological Gardens Trade Union yesterday decided to postpone a protest scheduled for today after the Ministry Secretary agreed to meet them to discuss a plan to shift the zoo to Piliyandala.

The meeting would be held on August 31, an official said.

Annually, the Dehiwela zoo attracts more than 1.4 million visitors and generates nearly Rs. 175 million in revenue.

The Island

learns that the Ministry of Tourism has appointed an Expert Committee to provide input on shifting the National Zoological Gardens from Dehiwala to Piliyandala.

The committee’s report should be submitted in the next few weeks.

According to Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi a 70-acre plot of land has been identified in the Piliyandala are.

He said the government was keen on shifting the animals to a more spacious place. Special attention had been paid to the proposal made to move the Dehiwala Zoo to the Kahapola in Piliyandala, according to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

The Minister has gone on record as saying that the practice of watching animals locked in cages should be abandoned.

He made these remarks at a recent discussion with officials of the Department of Zoology and Botanical Gardens, at his ministry.



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IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon informed to be present before the Committee of Inquiry on 19th May

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IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed to be present before the ‘Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power’ on the 19th of May 2025.

This Committee met in the Parliament premises on several occasions as of now, and accordingly, for the first time, IGP T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon has been informed by the Committee, to appear before it,  for future investigations.

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UNESCO Director General candidate Dr. Khaled El Enany meets Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka

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Dr. Khaled El Enany – the UNESCO Director General Candidate of the Arab Republic of Egypt met with the  Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka Dr. Risvie Salih at the  Parliament premises recently (May 05).

During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the long-standing and cordial bilateral relationship between Egypt and Sri Lanka, emphasizing their shared commitment to further strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest. Dr. El Enany outlined his vision as a candidate for UNESCO leadership, highlighting his dedication to fostering cultural collaboration and understanding among nations.  Dr. Risvie Salih also highlighted Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy and long-standing relationship with Egypt.

The meeting was also attended by  the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, and Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament of Sri Lanka.

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Samantha Ranasinghe sworn in as a Member of Parliament

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Samantha Ranasinghe was sworn in today (May 08) before the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, as a Member of the Tenth Parliament.

Following the oath and affirmation before the Speaker, he signed the Members’ Roll placed before the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.

Member of Parliament Samantha Ranasinghe has been thus appointed to fill the vacancy created due to the demise of Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, who served as a Member of Parliament from the Kegalle District representing the National People’s Power.

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