News

WNPS sounds alarm on fears of building a new road at Yala

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/18

Archaeological survey a “feint”?

The Wild Life and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), established in 1894, last week sounded the alarm on speculated intrusion into the Yala National Park which it said may be “a feint” for a more sinister purpose – the construction of an illegal road to lay claim to the historic Akasa Chaitya site at Situlpahuwa.

This matter, having already been raised in Parliament, is now in the public domain. It has been denied by the Wild Life Minister.

The following is the text of the WNPS statement: “The Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS) has learned that the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has given his permission for three officials of the Archaeological Department to conduct a survey around the iconic Akasa Chaitya (Elephant Rock) in the Yala National Park.

“While the WNPS has yet learn of the real purpose and scope of the survey, it is deeply concerned that, according to sources, unauthorized personnel have entered the Park without formal permission, accompanied by members of the armed forces, and paid visit to the survey site. It has been a recurring situation that in the last 10-12 years. WNPS is aware interested parties have an ambition to lay claim to the ancient Akasa Chaitya site, as a place of pilgrimage, and to build a road to it from Situlpahuwa.

“Should such a road be built, apart from it being in breach of the Laws of Sri Lanka, the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), it would lead to the catastrophic division of one of the premier National Parks of Sri Lanka, famous throughout the world for its sightings of leopards.

“In addition, the large-scale habitat degradation such a road would cause, the inevitable displacement of wildlife, and the introduction to it of swarms of unsupervised visitors, would hardly lend to foreign visitors wishing to travel to it. The corresponding economic loss to the area would seriously impact the local and national economies, both already reeling as a result of the pandemic.

“As such, the WNPS fervently hopes that this is nothing more than an archaeological survey of an ancient site, and not a feint for more sinister purpose; the construction of an illegal road that would not only result in court proceedings, but also the condemnation of wildlife lovers of Sri Lanka, and of the world. Can Sri Lanka really afford the true ‘cost’ of such a road?”

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News

INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.