News
Increase in deaths of marine species observed
The Department of Wildlife Conservation, and environmentalists, yesterday expressed concern about the increasing number of deaths of marine species, following the ecological disaster caused by the fire destruction of Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl off the Colombo port.
Around 40 dead sea turtles and ten dolphins have washed up on shores. The actual number of deaths is believed to be at least five times more.
The Government Analyst’s Department is
currently trying to establish the causes of deaths. Government Analyst Gauri Ramana told the media that they would soon be able to reveal the exact cause.
“We are trying to determine the impact of the MV X-PRESS PEARL disaster on seawater. The report on our investigation will soon be submitted,” she said.
The Wildlife Conservation Department sent all the carcasses of the dead animals to the Government Analyst for testing, following a court order. Under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, all sea turtles and their shells, eggs etc., are fully protected.
Most of the turtles found dead on the beaches in Panadura and Wellawatte had their carapaces broken. One dead turtle at the Unawatuna beach too had suffered injury.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted their concurrence to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs to appoint S. Achchudan of Special Grade of Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as an Additional Commissioner of Elections at the Elections Commission who is
recommended by the panel of interviewers to the post of Director General of the Sports Development Department with effect form 01.01.2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the draft bill of the National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette notification and subsequently to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to provide tax relief on imported dates received as donations or gift for Ramadan.
This year’s Ramadan fasting season is scheduled to begin on 19-02-2026 and end on 21-03-2026.
Shafali, Renuka close in on top five in ICC T20I rankings
S. Achchudan appointed as Director General of the Sports Development Department.
Amendment of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980
Tax relief for Dates received as donations or gifts for Ramadan
Cabinet nod to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and innovation Authority
Temporary employment of Sri Lankan labour in the State of Israel
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoBritish MP calls on Foreign Secretary to expand sanction package against ‘Sri Lankan war criminals’
-
News5 days agoStreet vendors banned from Kandy City
-
Sports6 days agoChief selector’s remarks disappointing says Mickey Arthur
-
Opinion6 days agoDisasters do not destroy nations; the refusal to change does
-
News7 days agoSri Lanka’s coastline faces unfolding catastrophe: Expert
-
News5 days agoLankan aircrew fly daring UN Medevac in hostile conditions in Africa
-
Midweek Review7 days agoYear ends with the NPP govt. on the back foot
-
Sports2 days agoGurusinha’s Boxing Day hundred celebrated in Melbourne