News
‘New directive sidelining Forest Dept. will place 690,000ha of forest in jeopardy’

Environmentalists, scientists and animals lovers protest
by Ifham Nizam
Environmentalists, scientists and animals lovers warned that the removal of small fragmented forests from the jurisdiction of the Forest Department by amending circular 5/2005 will place 690,000 hectares of forest in jeopardy and destroy wildlife habitats.
Rally For Animal Rights & Environment (RARE) cautioned the move will not only wipe out animals but also destroy endangered and protected species.
The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said it is disconcerted to note the downsizing of forest lands managed by Divisional Secretaries in terms of a circular issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation (rescinding previous circulars), which now authorizes the management of all other forest lands to the Conservator General of Forests.
The new directive permits the Conservator General of Forests to release lands for non-forest purposes, it said.
“The new circular has been issued without understanding the present laws, amendments, definitions and the mandate of the issuing officer,” a legal activist said.
Attorney–at-Law Ravindranath Dabare said under sections 1 and 2 of the circular MWFC/1/2020 issued by Bandula Harischandara, Secretary, Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, the subject matter is Residual Forest, which does not exist in Sri Lanka under the Forest Ordinance or other ordinances.
The term used here is misleading as the amended Forest Ordinance 65/2009 considers some forest areas as “any other forest” or “forest other than a Conservation Forest, Reserved Forest or Village Forest”, he noted.
Section 2 of the circular also refers to “residual forest”, which doesn’t come under any law, regulation or other constitutional provision etc. There are no such forests/land in Sri Lanka as all lands/forests come under the law of the land or departmental regulations in the country, he asserted.
The new circular will allow releasing forest lands for non-forest uses subject to selected ad-hoc guidelines, Dabare warned.
“As we understand, the definition “any other forest”, which are other than nature reserves and conservation forests will now come under the jurisdiction of the Forest Ordinance amendment No 65/2009. Although, the Secretary has the power to cancel the previous circulars, the new law does not provide provisions to release the “other forests” for intended purposes”, the lawyer further said.
The circular outlines that forest lands will be “used for economic or other productive uses”. This means converting forest into non-forest uses, he continued. He added that the type of forests which the Secretary is willing to dispose of under the requires an EIA under the National Environmental Act.
CEJ Executive Director, Hemantha Withanage told The Sunday Island: “It’s very sad to see government officers being directed to deregulate forests, which will result in mass forest grabbing and environmental destruction and disasters. We vehemently oppose this undemocratic move and demand the cancellation of the new circular and respect the existing Forest Act (as amended) and the National Environmental Act (as emended).”
He said under the previous Rajapaksa regime, the Forest Department worked towards a the target of increasing the forest cover of the country to 35 per cent from 24 percent at the time. The coverage was then increased to 29 percent adding plantations as forests. As achieving 35 per cent forest cover target was not easy, it was reduced to 32 per cent by the next government.
This target remains unchanged. It is obvious that other forests play a key role in increasing the forest cover in Sri Lanka. If not, the Forest Department will have to declare grass lands also as forests, he added.
News
Wijepala claims Pillayan had prior knowledge of Easter Sunday attacks

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament yesterday that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, had prior knowledge of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks while he was in custody at the Batticaloa Prison.
“We have evidence to prove that he had prior knowledge of the attacks,” the Minister said.
The ministerial statement was made during an adjournment debate, as the Minister updated Parliament on the progress of investigations into the Easter Sunday bombings.
Wijepala also highlighted a related incident that occurred on 30 November, 2018, in which two police officers were killed in a shooting and stabbing attack. During the investigation into that incident, a former LTTE member, named Ajantha, was arrested after allegedly confessing to the crime.
However, Minister Wijepala said that findings of a CID probe had revealed Ajantha had been falsely implicated. A riding jacket, belonging to him, had been used to frame him, misleading CID officers into believing that the attack had been carried out by a former LTTE member.
Wijepala confirmed that an intelligence officer had been arrested in connection with the case. Further arrests are expected as investigations continue.
News
Sri Lanka back to its high poverty levels

Sri Lanka’s estimated poverty (share of the population living on less than $3.65 a day) remains stubbornly high, affecting as much as a quarter of the population in 2024, and twice as high as in 2021. The reversal in poverty reduction gains during the crisis has taken Sri Lanka back to its high poverty levels of the early 2000s, finds a new study by the Centre for Poverty Analysis(CEPA).
The report, launched on Tuesday in Colombo, says: The economy has stabilised remarkably well since weathering its worst economic crisis since Independence, but there are substantial risks of a relapse. The country now needs to continue with macroeconomic stabilisation and implement a range of growth policies, with a new focus on state capacity.
The report, titled ‘Sustaining Transformative Growth in Sri Lanka 2025–2030’, offers a bold roadmap for Sri Lanka to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth over the coming five years. Authored by an Independent Growth Study Group, under the auspices of ODI Global and the CEPA, the report provides critical policy recommendations for navigating the country’s complex economic landscape as it emerges from its worst economic crisis since independence.
Developed by a team of nine leading experts, with extensive experience across public, private, and international sectors, the report highlights the significant progress made in stabilising the Sri Lankan economy, including renewed growth and reduced inflation. However, it stresses that the persistent challenge of high poverty levels requires a focus on economic transformation with structural reforms and targeted sectoral policies to mitigate future risks and unlock the nation’s vast potential.
Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja, Visiting Senior Fellow at ODI Global and Convenor of the Independent Growth Study Group, said: “Sri Lanka has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming recent economic hardship, but the journey towards prosperity requires more than resilience – it demands bold action. This report provides a crucial framework, not just for consolidating the hard-won gains of stabilisation, but for igniting truly transformative growth that uplifts all Sri Lankans. The opportunity is here, and we must act decisively to create a more inclusive and resilient economy.”
The study identifies six key policy areas as crucial for achieving sustainable growth: maintaining macroeconomic stability, integrating into global supply chains, improving factor markets, implementing targeted sectoral policies, reducing poverty and building political consensus. It also highlights key sectors poised for growth, including tourism, the digital economy, niche manufacturing and agriculture, driving the economic transformation of Sri Lanka in the future.
Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne, Executive Director of CEPA and a co-author of the report, emphasised the critical role of trade in this transformation: “Sri Lanka’s historical under-performance in exports is directly linked to a persistent anti-export bias and cumbersome business regulations. Our findings underscore that strategically opening up to global trade and rigorously streamlining business procedures are not just options, but essential accelerators to boost exports, stimulate investment and unleash the full potential of Sri Lankan businesses on the international stage.”
Prof. Dirk Willem te Velde, Director of the International Economic Development Group at ODI Global, said: “In today’s volatile global economy, Sri Lanka’s experience serves as a powerful lesson for recovery from deep economic crisis, setting an example for other emerging economies facing similar challenges. Our study argues how targeted policies for trade and production, innovation and digital economy, and governance can transform the country’s economic landscape and avoid further macro-economic crises. This report is a call to action for all stakeholders – government, business, civil society and citizens alike – to work together towards a shared vision of a prosperous and transformed Sri Lanka.”
The report urges a concerted effort to leverage Sri Lanka’s strategic location and build on existing production capabilities to drive growth and reduce poverty. It emphasises the importance of strategic engagement with global and regional supply chains and the digital economy to boost exports and attract foreign investment.
News
Speaker to convert his official residence into knowledge centre for all elected representatives

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has stated that the official residence of the Speaker would be transformed into a knowledge centre providing information to all Members, representing all layers of governance in the country, the Parliament Media Division said yesterday.
He said that this centre was intended to impart essential knowledge to Members of Local Authorities, Provincial Councils, and Parliament on subjects such as international relations, fiscal policy, and governance. The Speaker also revealed that it is proposed to develop this centre into a national and international-level research institution that supports both qualitative and quantitative research.
The Speaker said so during a recent meeting held on Monday (07) at Parliament with a delegation from the European Union, including Dr. Jonathan Murphy, Head of the Inter Pares Global project, implemented by the European Union, and Ingrid Walker, Programme Manager of Inter Pares.
The Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, and Assistant Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne also attended this meeting.
The delegation of the Inter Pares Global project of the European Union, which focuses on strengthening parliamentary capacity, met with the Speaker on 7th July 2025, the opening day of a four-day programme organised at the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
The delegation stated that the primary objectives of the programme are to provide the necessary knowledge to enhance legislative activity, oversight, financial, and administrative functions of the Sri Lankan Parliament and to facilitate experience sharing.
During the meeting, discussions were also held on various other areas of focus. Commenting on parliamentary committees, the Speaker briefed the delegation on the activities carried out by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). He further explained that, in addition to the current technical assistance, measures have been taken to obtain legal support for these committees.
The Speaker further emphasised that Parliament aimed to take accurate decisions to accelerate the country’s development process while taking strict action against corruption.
Accordingly, the delegation is scheduled to meet with heads of various departments and divisions of Parliament from 7th to 11th July, to engage in the exchange of ideas.
-
Features4 days ago
One of the finest foreign ministers the nation missed
-
News4 days ago
Cheap alms bowls imports hit Sri Lanka makers, monks
-
News6 days ago
New KDU Medical Faculty admission policy challenged in Supreme Court
-
Features4 days ago
Going through Colombo Medical School
-
Latest News10 hours ago
Search for survivors after Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship in a week
-
Editorial6 days ago
‘Celebration of debt’ and harsh reality
-
Sports4 days ago
Liverpool team join family of Diogo Jota, brother for funeral in Portugal
-
News4 days ago
Nestlé Lanka inspires environmental awareness through nationwide schools art competition