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Environmentalists to move SC against return of 14 elephants to those who kept them previously

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By Ifham Nizam

Environmentalists backed by Ven. Omalpe Sobitha said yesterday they would appeal against the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court order that 14 elephant calves taken into protective custody by the Wildlife Department, alleging illegal capture, be retunred to those who previously kept them.

They said they would do so to prevent a grave injustice being caused to the elephants.

Naturalist Sajeewa Chamikara alleged that order had come from none other than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, when The Island queried whether the matter was taken up with President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) Communication Coordinator, Panchali Panapitiya all 14 elephants were now juveniles and the sheer brutality and force that woudl be used to “tame” them was unthinkable. She said among the elephants to be returned was an animal which was gifted by then President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the previous Rajapaksa government. The elephant was later voluntarily handed over to the Pinnawala Orphanage.

The other elephants are owned by Dishan Wickremaratna – Matara, Waruna Kannangara – Horana, Chathuranga Weerasinghe – Alawwa, S.N. Roshan – Pannipitiya, Kamal Kithsiri – Kottawa, Samantha Wijemanna – Amithirigala, Buddhika Deshapriya – Hingula, Chief incumbent of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya – Colombo 7, Ajith Siri Kumara – Hokandara, Hasanthi Champika Karunaratna – Ganegoda and Bharatha Amaratunga – Meegoda.

Nature lovers Rukshan Jayawardene, Dr. Jagath Gunawardana, Sajeewa Chamikara, Hemantha Withanage, Supun Lahiru Prakash, Ravindranath Dabare, Nayanaka Ranwella and many other veteran conservationists and activists also expressed concern about the government’s plan.

Hemantha Withanage of Centre for Environmental Justice said that a recent gazette notification which enabled persons to seek fresh registration of elephants held with them had been cited.

Environmental Lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardena said that the particular gazette notification had been issued only recently but made applicable to cases filed earlier.



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President requests the opposition to support the implementation of the IMF agreement

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Opposition to unite and disregard political differences to assist in carrying out the IMF agreement, which would aid in the development of Sri Lanka’s economy.

The President emphasized that his duty is not to condemn previous administrations but to concentrate on the development of the country. He also declared his dedication to constructing a better future by creating laws and frameworks that prevent the recurrence of past errors.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered this message in a special address to Parliament this morning (22) regarding the receipt of the Extended Credit Facility from the International Monetary Fund.

He stated that despite allegations being leveled against him that his objective was not to rescue the country from an economic crisis but to safeguard the Rajapaksa family, the international community had acknowledged his efforts to carry the country across the economic vine bridge.

The President further said that he had faith in rebuilding the beloved country where he was born, brought up and educated, and said that many past experiences were the reasons for confirming that faith.

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SJB, JVP move SC against Finance Secy. for contempt of court

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The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (21) moved Supreme Court against Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana over his failure to provide funds required by the Election Commission to conduct the Local Government polls, ignoring an interim order issued by the apex court, on 03 March.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MP, is the petitioner for the SJB and Vijitha Herath, MP, moved court on behalf of the JVP, the leading party in the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB).

Two Opposition parties declared action against Siriwardana the day after the Freedom People’s Alliance (FPA) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Finance Secretary to release the funds.

EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa is on record as having said that in spite of SC directive he didn’t receive fresh funding.

The petitioners sought the issuance of summons on Siriwardana for contempt of court over failure to carry out its interim orders, given on 03 March.

The petitioners want the Finance Secretary punished in terms of Article 105 (3) of the Constitution.

The SJB stated that Siriwardana had refrained from carrying out the March directives, on the basis of a Cabinet decision, taken on 13 Feb., 2023. The SJB also pointed out that the offensive conduct of the Treasury Secretary, inter alia, causes grave prejudice to the esteemed authority of the Supreme Court and in turn disturb the public confidence in the authority of the highest Court in the country. (SF)

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Minister indicates reduction in fuel prices in April

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Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament yesterday that fuel prices would be reduced considerably according to the fuel price formula at the next fuel price revision, due in April.

The Minister said that the government would be able to procure fuel shipments, at lower prices, during competitive bidding, with the receipt of the IMF bailout.

There had been practical issues, and problems, in opening Letters of Credit, and obtaining credit facilities, in the recent past, as Sri Lanka could not give a guarantee to fuel suppliers, Minister Wijesekara said.

“We could not open LCs and obtain credit facilities when procuring fuel. After the IMF bailout, we will be able to procure fuel at lower prices during competitive biddings. We will be able to obtain a long-term credit facility as well. Fuel prices in the global market seem to have declined and the rupee has also gained strength against the US Dollar. Having considered all these factors, fuel prices will be reduced by a considerable margin which could be felt by the people,” he said.

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