News
‘No person can own elephants in Sri Lanka’ – Jagath Gunawardena
By PRIYAN De SILVA
Senor environmental lawyer Dr Jagath Gunawardena said that the whole concept of owning a wild animal was alien to Sri Lanka’s Constitution and the laws that have been enacted under it and hence no person could own an elephant or any other wild animal for that matter. He added that the term ‘elephant owner’ was a misnomer and that there can only be ‘custodians’ who have been given written authority by the Wildlife Department.
Dr. Gunawardena was expressing his views at a media conference held last Thursday (09) afternoon to discuss the release of 15 elephants that had been previously confiscated by the Department of Wildlife as they were in the possession of persons who were unable to provide documentary proof of their custodianship.
Gunawardena added that the custodianship came into force only when the Director General of Wildlife signed the relevant document and it was against the law to return the animals to those who were not legitimate custodians.
Dr Gunawardena said that in this instance the Attorney General’s Department who applied for the handing over of the said animals to those who had held them illegally had overstepped their (AG’s Department) limits by determining the custodians of the said elephants as it was the Director General of Wildlife who was empowered to do according to Section 22 A of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
Among those named as the person who would receive the three of the animals were a Buddhist monk who is now deceased and a mahout. The regulations enacted on 19 August 2021 had been cited in obtaining the release of these animals. Questioning its validity Dr Gunawardena said that regulations could only be signed by the Minister in charge of the subject who is a member of the Cabinet but in that instance the regulations had been signed by the State Minister in charge of the subject. Furthermore, the said regulations were not in keeping with the Fauna and Flora protection Ordinance which specifically prevents the commercial misuse of wild animals.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy incresed
Showers in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Western, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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