News
Now, Sirisena comes forward to protect endangered tree
By Ifham Nizam
Former President Maithripala Sirisena has requested senior government authorities not to harm or dislocate a critically endangered tree, Sri Lankan Legume or Crudia zeylanica, in Gampaha.
Sirisena, who held the Environment portfolio in the yahapalana regime, on Sunday, met residents in Gampaha and had lengthy discussions on saving the endemic tree situated in the path of the new expressway.
Surakimu Sri Lanka
Movement representatives and villagers briefed the former president on the matter and invited him to have hoppers.
Sirisena assured that he would do his utmost to protect the tree and especially to ensure it remained where it stood.
“I believe that the government has responded positively as regards this matter and that a plan will be formulated to protect this species of flora,” the former president stressed
Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry yesterday requested the Highways Ministry to proceed with the construction of the Central Expressway, without disturbing the endangered tree.
Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry, Secretary, Bandula Harischandra yesterday submitted a request in writing to the Minister himself, to that effect.
The Highways Ministry is continuing to have further discussions with a team of experts. However, Highways Ministry Secretary, R. Premasiri told The Island that he was not in a position to comment until he read the content of the letter.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said although it had been revealed that the Crudia zeylania or Pandu Karanda plant in front of the Daraluwa Railway Station in Gampaha was a rare plant, officials should have paid more attention during the planning of the construction of the expressway.
Either the Central expressway path should be changed while the plant remained in place or the plant should be removed without any damage and replanted in a suitable ecosystem nearby, he said.
The Environment Minister said that engineers who were constructing the expressway had pointed out that if the design of the road was changed, it would cost a huge sum of additional money and that amount had not been assessed yet.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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