News
Hightech platform unlocks new paradigm in multi-regional leopard research
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) together with LOLC recently embarked on The Multi-Regional Monitoring System for the Sri Lankan Leopard Project, to engage in the research and conservation of an iconic, yet vulnerable species that adds immense value to the nation’s economy and its wildlife.
The project’s initial phase is built on gathering information on the lesser-known aspects of the Sri Lankan leopard, particularly by identifying leopard distribution outside of protected areas, understanding the nature of human-leopard interactions, and classifying areas with heightened levels of human-leopard conflict, a news release on the initiative said.
“To facilitate and streamline the project’s efforts, the Society recently received a donation of two licenses for ArcGIS Pro Software platform for a period of five years. The platform is armed with cutting edge capabilities to transform these spatial data into maps and enable the effective visualization of the project’s data. The ArcGIS Pro Software platform is designed with built-in tools and apps to collect data, and navigate, coordinate, and monitor projects to deliver improved outcomes,” the release said.
“The donation was made with the support of the world’s largest GIS company, The Environmental Systems Research Institute USA (Esri), and the software’s local distributor GIS Solutions Private Ltd, which together have successfully deployed the greatest number of GIS technology implementations in Sri Lanka. At present, a significant number of leading environmental agencies rely on the ArcGIS Software platform in their conservation and sustainability efforts.”
“GIS Solutions Private Ltd together with Esri is proud to support this initiative as we firmly believe in supporting conservation efforts by utilising the best and most effective GIS technology available in the market today. Our principal founder Jack Dangermond himself is an environmentalist and conservationist, and underpinned by these values, our objective lies in deploying the ArcGIS Software platform to conserve our environment and its species. As a responsible organisation, we remain deeply committed towards supporting efforts to safeguard endemic species like the Sri Lankan leopard for our future generations,” stated GIS Solutions.
“To date, very little information is known on leopards outside of protected areas. By understanding the distribution and habits of this enigmatic species, we can take the necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the human-leopard conflict which has continued to plague our nation. The scientific analytical tools that are incorporated within the ArcGIS Software platform will undoubtedly contribute towards identifying key focus areas, and thereby strengthen accurate decision-making for conservation efforts.
“The donated licenses provide access to these invaluable tools, which will in turn enhance the research component of this vital project to a considerable degree. We are extremely grateful towards GIS Solutions Private Ltd and Esri for their support towards this vital project,” said Prof Enoka Kudavidanage from the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society.
The Sri Lankan leopard has long been susceptible to a range of threats including habitat loss, illegal trade and snares that are prevalent within high human-leopard conflict zones across the nation. It is envisioned that through The WNPS – LOLC Multi-Regional Monitoring System for the Sri Lankan Leopard Project and the help of its partners, that the future of these apex predators will be guaranteed in the years to come.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.
Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.
Accordingly:
1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).
6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.
7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.
The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.
Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.
[President’s Media Division]
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
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Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs
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