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Centre for Environmental Justice raises concerns over unscientific wildlife management practices

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/23

By Ifham Nizam

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), under the leadership of its Chairman Hemantha Withanage, has strongly criticized the ongoing unscientific and ad-hoc practices in wildlife management across Sri Lanka. The CEJ has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the government to take immediate action to halt these practices, which they argue are not only harmful to wildlife but also exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts.

In a detailed letter addressed to the President, Withanage outlined several alarming developments.

These include the unregulated capture and relocation of elephants and other wildlife, carried out without consultation with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) or adherence to scientific guidelines. He alleged that these operations, often backed by political figures and local influencers, have led to the displacement and deaths of animals while placing rural communities at further risk.

The CEJ highlighted that numerous relocation efforts are being conducted without the involvement of qualified Wildlife officials. “We have received credible reports that unauthorized groups, including unqualified veterinary personnel, are capturing and relocating elephants,” Withanage stated. Such actions, he noted, not only violate wildlife laws but also disrupt ecological balance.

Citing examples such as the Hambantota Elephant Management Reserve,

Withanage emphasized that lands allocated for wildlife are being encroached upon for commercial activities. He further accused political actors of exploiting these issues for short-term gains, undermining the government’s national environmental policy.

Legal Battles and Conservation Efforts

The CEJ, along with other environmental organizations, has pursued legal action to address these concerns. Notably, the organization filed a Supreme Court case (SCFR 301/24) to protect the Hambantota Elephant Management Reserve, highlighting its mismanagement and encroachment. Additionally, ongoing cases, such as the CA WRIT 186/23, focus on preventing deforestation in areas critical for wildlife.

Call for National-Level Coordination

Withanage called for an immediate halt to all unscientific and unauthorized wildlife management activities. He urged the establishment of a high-level committee involving experts, government officials, and environmentalists to develop a science-based, inclusive approach to human-wildlife conflict resolution.

“We need policies grounded in scientific research and input from qualified professionals, not influenced by political expediency,” he remarked. The CEJ also proposed integrating advanced agricultural practices to reduce dependency on vast forest lands, a move that could alleviate pressure on wildlife habitats.

Government’s Environmental Commitments

Recalling President Dissanayake’s earlier commitments to environmental sustainability, Withanage expressed disappointment at the current state of affairs. “The ad-hoc measures being implemented are in direct contradiction to the government’s stated environmental policies,” he said.

Looking Ahead The CEJ’s plea comes at a crucial time when human-wildlife conflicts are escalating due to habitat loss and unregulated land use. The organization’s proposals, including reviving traditional elephant corridors and enhancing coordination between relevant ministries, offer a pathway toward sustainable solutions.

Withanage concluded, “The government must take immediate steps to ensure the rights of wildlife and the safety of communities are protected. This is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of national interest.”

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

14 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.