News
Several new zones opened at Ridiyagama Safari Zoo coinciding with World Animals Day
By Ifham Nizam
Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, yesterday, urged the public to take care of animals like their own children.
The Minister said so while participating in the opening of several new zones at Ridiyagama Safari Zoo, in Hambantota.
Among the new zones are a pet feeding zone, a bird park, a migratory bird care centre, a zone for herbivores, and an animal conservation breeding centre.
The World Animals Day also fell yesterday and the National Zoological Department arranged to open new zones in the Ridiyagama Safari Park to celebrate the day. A large number of people including the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Chandra Herath, Director General of the Zoological Department, Tilak Premakantha participated in that event.
Professor Sevwandi Jayakodi delivered the guest lecture, and a group of animal experts including lawyer Jagath Gunawardena also participated.
“Considering the rate at which wild animals are becoming extinct, in the future some wild animals will only be seen by future generations in zoos and forest conservation centres like this one,” the Minister said.
The purpose of such national parks is to care for and conserve wild animals, as well as a way to earn foreign exchange needed by the country, he said.
“We know that the main problem we are facing today is the lack of foreign exchange. The tourism industry is the best opportunity to earn foreign exchange in this country.”
The tourism industry, which collapsed after the Easter suicide attacks, found itself in a further difficult situation with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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