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Businessmen, politicians rape isolated forests of NWP aggravating elephant-human conflict – MONLAR

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By Rathindra Kuruwita

Businessmen and politicians keep on clearing isolated forest areas in the North Western provinces and this is aggravating the human elephant conflict in the area in a dramatic way, Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR) says.

Chamikara told The Island that in recent years there had been a significant spike in the human-elephant conflict in the dry zone mainly due to the massive expansion of maize and sugar cane cultivations in those areas, usually in swathes of cleared forest lands.

“The expansion of these large commercial agro enterprises has displaced elephants from their natural grazing areas and have obstructed their ability to move from one forest area to another. Thus, the elephants are compelled to raid human settlements for fodder, and this has led to many human and elephant deaths. The people affected by the human – elephant conflict are often those who are not responsible for the destruction of elephant havens. Poor farmers unable to cope up with the increasing threat from elephants are selling their lands to large companies,” he said.

Chamikara said that between 1990 and 2000, on average, 150 elephants and 40 humans died per year due to the human-elephant conflict. However, between 2010 and 2018, elephant deaths had increased to 275 and human deaths have increased to 80 per year. The situation became worse in 2019, when 406 elephants and 122 humans died due to the human – elephant conflict. In 2020, 307 elephants and 112 humans died.

Most recently swathes of forests had been cleared at places like Kiribathpelessa, Ehetuwewa, and Kurunegala, Chamikara said. That was the main catchment area of the Palukadawala Tank and was also the home to a large number of elephants. Those were also the nindagam of Nakolagane Raja Maha Vihara, he said.

“By late September about 50 acres had been cleared and another 700 acres given to several businessmen. No one had given these individuals any approval to clear these areas,” he alleged.

Chamikara said that in the Northwestern Province, a large number of elephants lived in isolated forest lands. Those animals spend the day in the forests and come out at night in search of food. Establishing farms by clearing the forest and near the tank will clearly lead to increased human-elephant conflict in the area, he said.

“There are around 5,000 acres of forest land in Nakolagane. There are about 25 tanks in these forests. This is not only a place where elephants feed, but it is also an elephant crossing. There are many tanks that are fed by the forests as well and they are vital for agriculture. The land being cleared belongs to the nindagama of Nakolagane temple,” Chamikara said.

He said that there were four settlements in the nindagama and that clearing up forests for commercial agriculture would greatly endanger those peasants. Already the misuse of lands in the nindagama had led to many issues.

“Many hectares of the nindagama has been cleared for commercial agriculture, to establish granite quarries, soil excavation, unauthorised settlements and the establishment of unsystematic elephant fences. Because of these developments, there has been a spike in human-elephant conflict and degradation of the soil, destabilising of the soil and a drop in ground water level,” he said.

Chamikara said that it was one of the many instances where land in the Northwestern province was being misused. Despite the obvious negative effects, none of the officials had done anything to stop those destructive practices.

“The clearing of these isolated forests are having a devastating impact. Everyone sees that, except those entrusted to act against such activities,” he said.

Seeveral laws too had been violated through those projects, Chamikara said. Almost all the projects violated the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO), no 02 of 1937, amended by Act no 22 of 2009. According to sub section 9 a (01) of the Act, one needs permission from the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department to carry out any developmental activity within a mile of the border of any national park, he said.

According to sub section 9 a (02) of the Act says that to obtain permission from the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, one needs to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment based on National Environmental Act, no 47 of 1980. Sub section 10 (c) of the Act states a person or an organization that carries out any development activity of any description within a mile of the border of any national park “shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not less than fifteen thousand rupees and not exceeding fifty thousand rupees or to imprisonment of either description for a term not less than two years and not more than five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

These also violate the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1998. An Archaeological Impact Assessment needs to be obtained if one is constructing and reconstructing tanks, carrying out agricultural projects, clearing areas over two acres, and carrying out combined multipurpose development activities including housing, industries and infrastructure facilities of areas exceeding one hectare in extent. This is noted in gazette No. 1152/14 dated 04.10.2000 published under Section 47, read with Section 43(b), of the Antiquities (Amendment) Act, he says.



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Narcotics and prescription drugs valued over Rs. 28158 million seized during naval operations in 2024

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The Navy’s operations in 2024 yielded impressive results, bringing to justice 407 persons, both local and foreign, involved in a wide array of illegal acts such as smuggling of narcotics, prescription drugs, and contraband as well as apprehending those involved in human smuggling. These operations were conducted in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and maritime partners in the region. Meanwhile, the gross street value of narcotics and prescription drugs seized in these operations has been valued at over Rs. 28158 million.

The Sri Lanka Navy consistently carries out operations in partnership with regional maritime partners, to address an assortment of illicit activities, including drug trafficking, within the ocean region.

The Navy has collaborated closely with the Sri Lanka Police, Police Narcotic Bureau, Police STF, Excise Department and other law enforcement agencies as well as the Indian Navy and Maldivian Coast Guard, actively sharing information during these operations. In such operations conducted in 2024, significant quantities of illicit substances were seized, including more than 622kg of heroin worth [street value] over Rs. 15554 million ,  more than 1211kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE) worth over Rs. 11508 million, more than 1752kg of Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 700 million, more than 119kg of local cannabis worth over Rs. 23 million and 1,179,746 prescription drugs worth over Rs. 373 million. In addition, based on information by the Navy, the Police and Police STF destroyed 107626 plants of local cannabis.

Additionally, 21 local fishing boats along with 230 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking have been apprehended and produced for onward legal action. Accordingly, the gross street value of narcotics and prescription drugs held in the operations in the past year has been valued at over Rs. 28158 million.

Also, the Navy has apprehended 02 suspects attempting to illegally sell 226 bottles of liquor as well as 234670 illegal cigarettes, 972 aphrodisiacs (madana modaka) drug pills and 52 suspects in connection to those illegal acts. Moreover, 11 elephant pearls and over 04kg of gold, made ready to be smuggled from the country, with 14 suspects were held as part of the naval operations in the year 2024. Apart from that, the Navy intercepted a craft with 05 individuals, for smuggling wild animals, through island waters.

The Navy also seized over 65687kg of smuggled Tendu leaves, more than 7272kg of dried turmeric, over 368kg of ginger, 8330 bottles and 56786 packets of agrochemical, 727 cosmetic products and apprehended 81 Sri Lankan nationals, 03 Indian nationals and an Indian dhow in the past year. Preventive of human smuggling and illegal migration efforts, the Navy held 01 boat from India and 20 persons for their involvement in human smuggling. Upon being held, they were handed over to authorities for legal proceedings.

As part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” national initiative, the Sri Lanka Navy has strategized its operations for 2025, aiming to combat illegal activities, including drug trafficking in the country’s maritime zones, promote maritime stability, and support the realization of Sri Lanka’s national maritime aspirations.

[Navy Media]

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A new Chairman and Members appointed to Official Languages Commission

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Mr. Nimal R. Ranawaka as the new Chairman of the Official Languages Commission.

The other members of the commission include Professor R.M.W. Rajapaksha, Professor Stanislaus Joseph Yogarajah, and Ms. Lareena Abdul Haq.

The appointment letters were presented today (06) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

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New Chairman and Board Members Appointed to 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a new Chairman and Board Members to the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation.

The appointment letters were presented by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake today (0 6) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Accordingly, Mr. A.M.N. Ratnayake was appointed as the new Chairman of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation, while Mr. R.J.M.A.P. Sampath and Mr. Nalin Perera were appointed as Board Members.

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