News
Sri Lanka prepares to mark World Mangrove Day with urgent call for coastal conservation
As the country prepares to mark the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi has called for intensified national efforts to restore and protect Sri Lanka’s dwindling mangrove forests, highlighting their significance in the face of climate change and coastal degradation.
Speaking to journalists, Patabendi said Sri Lanka’s mangroves—though covering just a small fraction of the country’s land mass -played an outsized role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and sustaining biodiversity.
“Although we contribute only 0.03% of global carbon emissions, Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Mangroves act as vital buffers, absorbing wave energy and shielding our coasts during extreme weather events,” the Minister said.
Organised by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), in collaboration with the Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Coast Conservation Department, the event drew participation from stakeholders across government, academia, and civil society.
Patabendi noted that the 2024 theme for World Mangrove Day, “Reviving Coastal Ecosystems through Mangrove Restoration,” was particularly relevant to Sri Lanka, where mangrove cover is under constant threat from urbanisation, illegal harvesting, and unsustainable development.
“We are taking a multi-pronged approach—combining science, policy, and community action—to rehabilitate degraded mangrove areas,” he said. “We are also engaging schools and youth to build a culture of environmental stewardship.”
Sri Lanka is home to approximately 15,670 hectares of mangrove forests. However, these fragile ecosystems continue to shrink due to encroachment and lack of awareness. The Environment Ministry is currently working on updated mapping and restoration initiatives, with particular emphasis on community-based nurseries and the empowerment of women in conservation.
“We must view mangrove restoration not only as an environmental imperative but as a socio-economic opportunity,” Dr. Patabendi said. “Healthy mangroves support fisheries, tourism, and livelihoods.”
The event also showcased school exhibits, coastal conservation tools, and interactive awareness programmes aimed at building public understanding of the importance of mangrove ecosystems.
Patabendi concluded with a call to action: “Let World Mangrove Day be a turning point—where we move from awareness to meaningful action in saving our coasts and securing our future.”
By Ifham Nizam
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that indictments had been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Minister and NDF Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over a corruption allegation.
The Bribery Commission notified the court when the case, in this regard, was taken up yesterday before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
At the hearing, the CIABOC notified the court that indictments had been presented before the Colombo High Court against the accused.
Accordingly, concluding the proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate ordered MP Dassanayake to appear before the High Court once a notice was issued.
Alleged drug kingpin and ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested after years on the run
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Northern, North-central, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle
CIABOC indicts MP Chamara Sampath in HC on bribery allegation
High-level discussion held to enhance Sri Lanka Agricultural Productivity with Chinese assistance
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial6 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
Features6 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Features6 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Features5 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective
-
Features6 days agoThe Story of Furniture in Sri Lanka
-
Opinion4 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders
-
Features6 days agoWriting a Sunday Column for the Island in the Sun
-
Business2 days agoCORALL Conservation Trust Fund – a historic first for SL