News
Shipping giant changes course to save Lankan whales
Animal rights activists on Friday cheered a move by a shipping giant to alter course in Sri Lankan waters to avoid collisions with blue whales, the world’s largest mammals.The island’s southern coast has an unusually high density of blue whales, classed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and is one of the world’s busiest international shipping lanes.
Campaigners believe more than a dozen of the gigantic animals — the largest ever to have lived on Earth at up to 30 metres long and 150 tonnes — have been killed in collisions with commercial ships in the last decade.There have also been occasional reports of fishermen dying when their boats were run down by container ships in the area, a rich fishing ground.
International activists and local environmentalists have for years pressed authorities to shift the east-west shipping routes 15 nautical miles further offshore.The Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s biggest container carriers, announced Thursday that it had voluntarily adjusted its routes around Sri Lanka by that distance to reduce the risk of accidents involving whales, dolphins and porpoises.
The move could reduce the strike risk as much as 95 percent, the company said. It is also ordering its smaller feeder vessels in the area to slow to 10 knots in blue whale habitats.The International Fund for Animal Welfare welcomed the announcement, calling it “good news for both blue whales and for people”.
The presence of the mammals has spawned a lucrative tourist whale-watching industry.Sri Lankan animal rights activist and researcher Gehan Wijeratne said the topography of the ocean floor, currents and monsoons make the sea off southern Sri Lanka rich in nutrients and marine life.
“This rich food web results in an area which is optimal for fishing,” Wijeratne said. “Not surprisingly whales also gather in this area.”
Any move to improve the safety of fishermen and shipping will automatically have a positive impact on whales and whale watching, he added.
Leading Sri Lankan environmentalist Jagath Gunawardena told AFP that MSC’s unilateral action exposed Colombo’s failure to protect marine life and fishermen.
“We should be embarrassed that we failed, but an international shipping company had to take the initiative,” he said.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
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