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 line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
Former MPs not entitled to police protection
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There are laws and regualations stipulating the level of security to be provided to Presidents, former Presidents, Ministers, and MPs, but in the past they were given more security, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath has said.
“According to the law, a person is not entitled to police protection after ceasing to be an MP. But previous governments allowed former MPs to retain their security in violation of laws and regulations,” Minister Herath said yesterday.
“In the future, intelligence services will conduct a threat assessment, and special security will be provided only to those facing security threats, Minister Herath said, stressing that elected representatives should be treated equally.
“The Ministry of Defence has also requested VIPs to return the weapons and ammunition issued to them. This does not mean the Ministry will retain these weapons indefinitely; they will be returned after a thorough assessment of threats and proper documentation,” he added .
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka had authorised a Chinese military training vessel to arrive, Cabinet Spokesman, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.
Herath said the Chinese vessel was no threat to anyone’s national security and Indian, German and US warships had docked in Sri Lankan ports.
Asked by a journalist whether there would be a change in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, Herath said that the NPP treated every country equally.
“We will not treat anyone more favourably than others. This is the basis of the non-aligned policy,” he said, noting that they had no problem with any country supporting Sri Lanka in a way that does not harm the country’s national interests.
Herath said that a senior US military official would visit Sri Lanka on Thursday (10) and the US was to present a naval vessel to the Sri Lanka Navy.
“National interest is our priority and based on that we will engage with everyone,” he said.
Herath added that they had prepared a list of relatives, and associates of politicians who had been appointed to various Sri Lankan missions. The list would be published soon, he said.
Sri Lanka Army pays tribute to fallen War Heroes
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