News
Are NGO cooks spoiling the soup?
By Ifham Nizam
Newly appointed National Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksa last week assured top priority for animal welfare and if necessary, they would seek advice from international experts.
She told The Island that with regard to ailments of elephants, it was successfully handled by a native doctor -Wedamahattaya.
However, Rally for Animals Rights (RARE) Spokesperson Panchali Panapitiya claimed that elephant foot care, positive reinforcement, enrichment and modern elephant care were alien to Sri Lanka, a country that had no laws on animal welfare.
She said that in July 2021 RARE approached Steve Koyle, one of the world’s foremost captive elephant experts from the USA. He possessed 21 years of elephant care experience and underwent various training and obtained qualifications. He is known as “Steve the foot guy” in the captive elephant world community.
A zoologist qualified from Michigan State University. He is renowned for his unique elephant foot care, positive reinforcement and target training techniques. In the last six years he established the Elephant Care Unchained organization and started providing free services to elephant owners who cannot afford paid services.
He has rendered paid and voluntary foot care to elephants, training and advice to mahouts in ethical and non-ethical sanctuaries in many countries including India, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia etc.
RARE introduced him to the then Director General of Zoological Department Ishini Wickremesinghe who was delighted to receive his expert advice.
When the idea was conveyed to the mahouts and animal handling staff at Dehiwala Zoo, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Ridiyagama they were also interested to receive training from this foreign expert in Sri Lanka. This was on a volunteer basis with no cost to the government at all.
“In September 2021, on his arrival in Sri Lanka, Ishini had resigned and there was a period with no director general and finally we introduced him to the new Director General of National Zoological Gardens Shermila Rajapaksa at a meeting at the Dehiwala Zoo in November. Disappointingly she has not yet taken any steps to receive his services to conduct foot care for the 100 elephants under her care
and provide training by him for her relevant staff,” Panapitiya said.
She added “There are many critical elephants that need foot care under her from which Elephant Devi at Dehiwala Zoo is in the worst condition. I think if the abscess on her feet is not treated immediately by the correct technique, it could result in a slow painful death to her in less than two years. Here we have brought the solution to the door step of the DG but she shows no interest.”
The American expert was also introduced to the Wildlife Minister C.B. Ratnayake in October 2021, who directed him to the President of Captive Elephant Owners Association, the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth, Nilanga Dela Bandara and even he recognised the importance and Steve’s skills and expertise and was happy to receive his services to the temple of the tooth elephant herd and endorsed and recommended him to conduct foot care and advise on enrichment to the temples and private owners in his association.
Steve has since done foot care for around 30 of the country’s most famous Captive Tuskers and Elephants at temples, with private owners and in riding camps and most of them have been very welcoming to have foot care done for their elephants. They were amazed at the tools he used. Steve even introduced simple, cost-effective enrichment methods to improve the mental wellbeing of elephants. Two famous temples are already following these methods and a riding camp elephant too.
The mahouts and owners were grateful and gave him blessings and passed on merits. He travels door to door with a translator offering his services.
He expects to reach all 104 elephants of the industry and work with captive elephant groups.
“Although RARE clash with Mr. Dela Bandara in most issues and principles we found common ground in recognising the skills of this expert and the need for footcare for our elephants by this international expert. And we must thank Mr. Bandara for that,” said Panapitiya.
Flaws in law blamed for chaos
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.
Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.
The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)
United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).
Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.
Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) recently organised commemorative events across Sri Lanka, together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), volunteers and local communities World Red Cross Red and Crescent Day
At the national level, the SLRCS in Colombo hosted a special ceremony to appreciate outstanding volunteers from each of the 25 district-level branches, honouring their commitment to humanitarianism. The event celebrated their courage, selflessness and unwavering service especially during disasters and emergencies, reflecting the true spirit of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its founding principle, Humanity. Concurrently, all 25 branches of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society commemorated the day by engaging youth across the country through Red Cross Junior Circles in schools, organising essay and art competitions that encouraged creative expression on humanitarian themes and inspired their active participation in humanitarian service.
Around the world, the World Red Cross Red and Crescent Day is commemorated annually, on May 8, uniting millions in honouring the birth and legacy of Henry Dunant, the visionary humanitarian and the founder of the Red Cross Movement. This year’s theme, ‘On the Side of Humanity’, is closely linked to Humanity, the overarching principle that motivates the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
K. Balakrishnan, President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, expressed his heartfelt gratitude and pride in the organisation’s volunteers said: “Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. On this World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers whose commitment and tireless efforts make them the first responders, stepping forward when others hesitate. Their selfless dedication exemplifies the true spirit of humanitarian service.”
Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Director General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, added:
“The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) proudly stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, offering unwavering support in times of disaster, conflict, crisis, and other emergencies. As the global community marks International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, SLRCS reflects on a year of steadfast humanitarian efforts across the country.
The Indian High Commission in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo and Bihar Museum, Patna, India organised a special exhibition titled ‘Dhamma Rupa’ at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple on Monday (12) as part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival in Colombo.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, accompanied by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha inaugurated the exhibition during the opening of the Vesak Festival at Gangaramaya, the event was attended by Ministers and other dignitaries which was jointly organised by Prime Minister’s Office and Gangaramaya Temple.
According to a statement issued by the Indian HC, the ‘Dhamma Rupa’ exhibition celebrates India’s rich Buddhist sculptural legacy and presents rare photographic displays of iconic Buddha sculptures dating from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE.
It said: “… showcases striking images of ancient Buddha sculptures excavated from various regions of India, now housed in the Bihar Museum. These sculptures reflect the spiritual depth and exquisite craftsmanship of early Buddhist artists and offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the artistic and devotional expressions of Buddhist art from this formative period. The Exhibition is open to the public from 12 to 16 May 2025.”
Marking the occasion, the High Commission of India also distributed copies of the Sinhala translations of five Amar Chitra Katha comic books based on Jataka Tales at the exhibition venue. The books were gifted to visiting children as part of a special initiative to creatively engage young minds with the teachings and values of Lord Buddha.
Commemorating the spirit of Metta and Karuna that underpins Vesak, the High Commission also arranged a Vesak Dansala at the Bauddhaloka Vesak Festival, organized by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC). Jaipur Foot registration camp by Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) has also been set up at Baudhaloka Mawatha
These initiatives reflect the continuing commitment of India to preserve, share, and celebrate the common Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka. It is a reaffirmation of the deep-rooted civilizational ties and enduring cultural bond that unite the two nations through the timeless teachings of the Lord Buddha,” the HC said.
Battle for control of CMC rages; SJB draws fire for alleged bid to appoint defeated candidates
Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2025 celebrated
Indian HC organises special exhibition on Buddhist Sculptural Heritage
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