News

Kumana National Park emerges as a leopard hotspot

Published

8 months ago

2025/06/22

Kumana Park (File Photo)

Kumana National Park, on the country’s southeastern coast, has emerged as a leopard stronghold, according to a recent study, contributor Malaka Rodrigo reports for Mongabay.

Using camera traps and statistical models, researchers from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Department of Wildlife Conservation estimated there’s a leopard density of around 41 of the big cats per 100 square kilometers, or about 106 leopards per 100 square miles, in the park’s eastern region.

Previous studies have found that the better-known Yala National Park in Sri Lanka’s south, popular for its leopard sightings, has about 54 leopards per 100 km2 (140 per 100 mi2); Wilpattu National Park in the northwest has about 18 per 100 km2 (46 per 100mi2); and Horton Plains National Park has an estimated 12 leopards per 100 km2 (31 per 100 mi2).

Kumana today spans 357 km2 (138 mi2). It was first declared a sanctuary in 1938 for its birdlife, including large colonies of waterbirds. It was designated a national park in 1960, and Sri Lanka’s fifth Ramsar wetland site in 2010. Park warden Dileep Samaranayaka told Mongabay that Kumana has recently gained popularity among visitors for its leopard sightings. With concerns about potential overtourism at Yala, Kumana is emerging as an alternative destination for leopard enthusiasts.

A citizen science initiative called Kumana Leopards, which relies on visitor observations of leopards in the park, has documented 80 individual leopards there since 2019. Led by Shanaka Kalubowila and his team, the initiative offers a field guide for identifying individual leopards and aims to provide evidence-based insights into the conservation of the Sri Lankan leopard, Rodrigo writes.

Kumana’s leopards face several threats, largely from outside the park where they sometimes venture to prey on domestic buffalo calves. Buffalo herders kill the leopards in retaliation, with several leopard deaths recorded recently, Samaranayaka said.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is categorized as a species vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List, with its populations declining worldwide.Researchers from the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) estimate Sri Lanka may have about 1,000 leopards.

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News

Prime Minister meets delegation from the European External Action Service

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the representatives of the European External Action Service [EEAS] on Tuesdqy [10 th February] at the Prime Minister’s office.

Welcoming the delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening and deepening the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union, noting the role of the European Union as a key development and economic partner.

The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the European Union to Sri Lanka in response to the recent cyclone, highlighting the EU’s continued solidarity and support during times of need.

Attention was drawn to the need to expand economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of undertaking necessary legislative and policy reforms to facilitate enhanced economic engagement, trade, and investment.

The delegation was briefed on the ongoing initiatives and reforms being implemented by the new Government aimed at strengthening economic stability, governance, and creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, EU co-chair of the Joint Commission, Ms. Paola Pampaloni; EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation Ms. Carmen Moreno and the representatives of European External Action Services and Delegation of the European Union, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, Tourism Sri Lanka.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Business

Newly appointed ADB Country Director to Sri Lanka and delegation meet PM

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank for Sri Lanka Ms Shannon Cowlin and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday [0th of February] at the Prime Minister’s office.

Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB Bank’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.

The Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the importance of such support in mitigating the immediate impacts of natural disasters.

The ADB delegation reiterated its readiness to further assist Sri Lanka during the post-cyclone recovery phase, including rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, and emphasized its commitment to the supporting the education sector.

The meeting was attended by OIC / Deputy Director General, SARD Ms. Sona Shrestha, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova Country Operations Head of ADB Sri Lanka Mission Resident, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General of the External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Samantha Bandara, Director for ADB Division in External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Ranjith Gurusinghe.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

School student transport services are being regulated

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on the 09th of February at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.

The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations have already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.

During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.

Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.

The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.

The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and the officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]