News
Environmentalists concerned over destruction of Galgamuwa forest lands
Belonging to ancient Nakolagane and Thorawamayilawa Viharayas
by Ifham Nizam
Forest lands belonging to two ancient temples in Galgamuwa are being destroyed to make way for large-scale agricultural projects, despite opposition from the Chief Incumbent of temple, environmentalists said.
Chief priest of Nakolagane Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Rahula Thera, said that of the two thousand acres owned by the temple, one thousand acres have already been encroached.
“Despite repeated complaints, nothing has been done. We have now decided to use 67 acres of neglected paddy fields to grow traditional rice varieties”, he said.
Forest lands coming under the Nakolagane Rajamaha Viharaya and Thorawamayilawa Rajamaha Viharaya are being destroyed using bulldozers, forest officers said.
The forest lands in the catchment of the Palukadawala reservoir belonging to the Nakolagane Rajamaha Viharaya is a key elephant home range in the area and forest lands around the Thorawamayilawa Rajamaha Viharaya act as a corridor for elephants to move from Thabbowa and Galgamuwa to Inginimitiya, elephant expert, Supun Lahiru Prakash said.
He said more than 60 per cent of free range elephants in Northwestern wildlife administrative region live outside the protected areas and they use the forest patches for their survival and moving paths.
Therefore, he believes it is essential to protect such forests to mitigate the human- elephant conflict and for the conservation of elephants in the area.
Thabbowa and Kahalla-Pallekele are the only two protected areas in the region administrated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Many attempts were made earlier to drive the elephants into the protected areas. However, the mission has so far not been successful.
The National Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Action Plan also emphasizes the importance of protecting the elephant home range outside the protected areas for long-term conservation of the jumbos and mitigation of the human-elephant conflict.
“If necessary steps are not taken to protect the forest areas, where elephants have lived for a long time, they wouldn’t have an alternative other than to invade villages”, he said.
Without solving the problem sustainably, the government plans to drive the elephants to the Wilpattu National Park as discussed at a recent ‘Gama Samaga Pilisandara’ in Karuwalagaswewa. If this happens, it will again lead to an escalation of the problem and also affect conservation efforts, a senior official warned.
All previous attempts to drive elephants living outside the protected areas completely failed. It was repeated in North Western wildlife administrative region as well. There were also many attempts to drive the elephants to Thabbowa and Kahalla-Pallekele sanctuaries and Wilpattu National Park over the past decades, he noted.
However, still the majority of elephants remain outside the protected areas. The Department of Wildlife Conservation had taken a policy decision to discontinue large-scale elephant drives after considering issues raised following the relocation of more than 300 elephants from Walawa left bank area to Lunugamvehera National Park in 2006.
The animals have been chased away for long distances and many elephant calves died on the way due to lack of water and exhaustion. The herds restricted to fenced up protected areas also face difficulties after the drives and starve to death as the result. The elephant population living within the protected areas are also affected as they have to compete with the ‘new comers’ for food. Therefore, it has adversely affected elephant conservation efforts in Sri Lanka, Prakash explained.
Adults males are difficult to drive away as they escape. Later, they return to the same locations and continue to harm lives and damage property. Furthermore, young males in herds who faced repeated drives adopt to human pressures such as fire, loud noises, crackers and even gunshots and become more aggressive towards humans resulting in the conflict escalating, he added.
News
Gender inequality is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue that demands attitudinal and behavioural transformation. – Prime Minister
“For countries like Sri Lanka, collaborative efforts like THRIVE are essential in ensuring gender parity and eliminating gender-based violence”
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of ’THRIVE- Together for Her: Resilience-building, Inclusivity, and Voices for Equality in Sri Lanka’, held on Tuesday [25 March] at the Australian High Commission in Colombo which was jointly hosted by the High Commissioner of Australia, UN Women, and Chrysalis.
THRIVE is a five-year initiative implemented by UN Women and Chrysalis, and funded by the Government of Australia. This project contributes to achieving Outcome 6 – “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” – of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Sri Lanka 2023-2027, which has been co-signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations, guiding the work of the UN system in Sri Lanka.
The project aims to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka by strengthening the economic and social resilience of marginalized women to navigate and recover from crises, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change aiming women with disabilities, women-headed households, and women in the plantation sector across six districts – Mannar, Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, and Colombo.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the need for structural and attitudinal change for ensuring gender parity and eliminate violence against women.
“Sri Lanka ranks high on the Human Development Index, with a literacy rate exceeding 92%, and over 60% of university students being women. However, only 35% of women participate in the paid workforce. It is necessary to find ways and means to ensure that women have opportunities to contribute towards the economy through employment opportunities and equal pay with given a dully acknowledge and recognize unpaid work and unpaid care work, which are often disproportionately carried out by women.
The Parliament of Sri Lanka adopted the Women Empowerment Act in 2024 which includes the establishment of an independent National Commission on Women to oversee women’s rights, and to create of a National Fund for Women. The administrative process for appointing the Commissioners is currently underway.
Further, as a government, we have implemented several benefits for women and young women under the national budget. As Minister of Education, I can confidently say that we have allocated funds to ensure children from marginalized communities have access to education including providing free uniforms, shoes, sanitary facilities, meals, books, and a stipend, ensuring that no child drops out due to economic barriers.
However, it is statistically proven that the 90% of women faced sexual harassment in public transport at least once in their lifetime and the Global Gender Gap Index of Sri Lanka lists at 122 among 146 countries that marks gender disparity is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal challenge that transcends gender, race, religion, and age.
Moreover, new threats are emerging. While digital tools offer great potential for development and technological advancement, they are also being misused to silence women, amplify biases, and fuel harassment. It is essential to create an inclusive digital space where everyone—regardless of gender, race, religion, or age—has equal opportunities to thrive in the digital age. The government remains committed to closing the gender digital divide and ensuring that women, especially young women, can participate independently in the digital economy.
Gender inequality is not a women issue, it is a societal issue that demands policy change, education, attitudinal and behavioural transformation. For countries like Sri Lanka, collaborative efforts like THRIVE are essential in creating a future where all women have equal opportunities to thrive.”
The event was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens; UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Maria Holtsberg; United Nations Resident Coordinator, . Marc-Andr Franche; and other esteemed dignitaries.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Sri Lanka, Ms. Dr. Eliska Zigova, met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees on Tuesday [25th of March]. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between the two nations and explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya welcomed Ambassador Zigova and acknowledged the Czech Republic’s continued support for Sri Lanka. In response, Ambassador Zigova commended the new government’s commitment to democratic governance and holding two peaceful elections, reflecting political stability and public trust.
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. Ambassador Zigova emphasized the importance of existing agreements and reiterated her government’s willingness to expand collaboration in key areas. Particular attention was given to discuss the posibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on science and education, aimed at building academic partnerships, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange between institutions in both countries.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted the “Clean Sri Lanka Programme,” a nationwide initiative dedicated to environmental conservation and urban sustainability. Additionally, the two dignitaries discussed prospects for enhancing tourism, with the Prime Minister inviting more Czech visitors to experience Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and growing eco-tourism sector.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of the Czech Republic to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation included Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and P.R.S.S. Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe & North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs 70 mn:
Colombo High Court judges Manjula Thilakaratne and Sujeewa Nissanka yesterday (27) withdrew from hearing Krrish case involving SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa.
The Attorney General in late January this year filed indictments against Rajapaksa. The former minister has been accused of criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 mn provided by Krrish Group for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka.
HC judge Thilakaratne declared his withdrawal from the case having referred to certain comments directed at him on social media. The judge said that his decision was influenced by comments made by journalists Poddala Jayantha and Sanath Balasuriya.
Subsequently HC judge Sujeewa Nissanka, too, declared his intention to quit.
The case would be called before Colombo Chief High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige on May 21 to name a suitable judge for the case to be referred.
The Krrish deal was first investigated by the yahapalana government.
Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship with US ‘is over’
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Uva provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 2.00 p.m
Gender inequality is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue that demands attitudinal and behavioural transformation. – Prime Minister
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