News
New unusually large species of gecko found at Kalthota

By Ifham Nizam
A team of research scientists have discovered an unusually large gecko species at Kalthota, Sri Lanka.
This new gecko species was named as Hemidactylus kimbulae. Due to its large body size, and so far only found in the environs ofthe Duvili Ella area, the team thought it was better to name it as “kimbulae”, said lead scientist Dr. Thasun Amarasinghe.
The research team comprises Dr. Thasun Amarasinghe from the University of Indonesia, Suranjan Karunarathna from Nature Explorations & Education Team Sri Lanka, Dr. Patrick Cambel from Natural History Museum London, Majintha Madawala from Victorian Herpetological Society Australia, and the Father of Sri Lanka’s herpetology, Dr. Anslem de Silva from Amphibia and Reptile Research Organisation of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Amarasinghe told The Island that the newly discovered gecko species, almost one foot long, was found only on the walls and in crevices inside rock caves within the patchy forested areas in the savanna type ecosystem.
However, he said that no rock caves were observed in the grassland habitat; it has also never been observed on rock walls outside the caves.
Researcher Suranjan Karunarathna says that also for its closest relative, another giant gecko species found in Eastern Sri Lankan savannah forests, Himidactylus hunae is commonly known as “kimbul hunae” or “maha gal-hoona”.
Although this species found within a protected area, the Duvili Ella Forest Reserve, the area outside this protected range is highly threatened by pegmatite exploitation for industrial use, probably for the production of glass and ceramics, according to Dr. De Silva.
News
I will not tolerate any breach of law and order in the country during my tenure – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Tri Forces, Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base Anuradhapura stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.
He asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.
News
Two students dead seven injured during big match vehicle parade in Badulla

Two students died and seven others were injured when the vehicle they were traveling toppled in Badulla today (01)
The students were participating in a vehicle parade held as part of the revelries for the 74th Battle of Uva between Uva Badulla Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya which commenced at the Badulla Cricket Stadium on Friday (31)
The Regional Director of Education Badulla on hearing of the unfortunate incident had ordered the match to be called off.
The Badulla Police are conducting investigations.
News
‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ held in Colombo

‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ the first on-site international training on evaluation for Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff in the Asia Pacific region was held in Colombo from the 27th to the 30th of March 2023.
On the final day of the training programme fifty (50) Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff from around 20 countries across Asia Pacific visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka for an exchange session and dialogue on the importance of evidence-based policy making through evaluations.
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