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Giant squirrels, monkeys eat up 107 million coconuts each year

Squatters in sanctuaries exacerbates human-jumbo conflict
By Ifham Nizam
Giant Squirrels also known as Rock Squirrels, and monkeys destroy some 107 million coconuts annually, a recent survey by the research team of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute has revealed.
Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry officials had a discussion, last Friday, on how to solve the problems such as human activities in the Sigiriya forest reserve, crop damage caused by wild animals, and the human-elephant conflict.
Minister of State for Defence, Pramita Bandara Tennakoon, Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Chandra Herath, Director General of Wildlife Chandana Suriyabandara, and others participated at the discussion.
A proposal was presented to protect the Sigiriya forest reserve and prevent the conflict between wild elephants and humans
It was emphasised that the people who were currently living in the vicinity of the Sigiriya reserve should not be evicted, but no one would be allowed to settle again.
Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, expressing his opinion on the latest research report, conducted by ARTI on crop damage caused by wild animals, said that 107 million coconuts were destroyed by Rock Squirrels and monkeys.
Weevils destroyed about six percent of the rice harvest in this country.
The Minister also expressed concern about the worsening of human-elephant conflict.
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“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President

The book “Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” ,authored by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, was officially launched this morning (08) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The first copy of the publication was formally presented to President Disanayake by Mr. Siriwardana during the event.
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Former state minister arrested by CID

It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
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President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and senior officials of SriLankan Airlines was held this afternoon (April 8) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions mainly focused on proposals to transform SriLankan Airlines into a more profitable state-owned enterprise. Special attention was also given to possible short-term and long-term solutions for the airline’s debt management.
The talks further explored new investment opportunities for the airline. The President instructed the officials to take all necessary steps to transform SriLankan Airlines into a profit-making entity.
Although the airline has recorded operational profits, due to past mismanagement and poor decision-making, it remains one of the leading loss-making state enterprises. The current government has decided to reverse the previous administration’s decision to privatize the airline. Instead, it plans to continue operating it as the national carrier while introducing a new management structure to ensure its profitability moving forward.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, President’s Senior Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Sarath Ganegoda along with several senior officials of SriLankan Airlines, were present at the meeting.
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