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.
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.
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