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Scientists identify new plant species endemic to Lanka

Published

5 years ago

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By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lankan scientists have discovered a new species of Nelu, Strobilanthes medahinnensis (Acanthaceae) based on morphological and molecular data, from the Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve.

The species named “Strobilanthus medahinnensis Nilanthi”.

The research team includes Nilanthi Rajapaksa, Nuwan Jayawardena of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Prof. Cyril Wijesundera of the Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Prof. Pradeepa Bandaranaike of the University of Peradeniya and Hiruna Samarakoon.

Nearly 450 species of Nelu spread around the world, most of which are found in tropical and subtropical Asia. With the discovery of the new species, there are about 33 species of Strobilanthus found in the natural environment in Sri Lanka, of which 27 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Fourteen of these species are protected by the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO).

Lead Scientist, Nilanthi Rajapakse, first observed several of this species in September 2015 in the Medahinna area of the Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve.

Subsequently, the research team found that the height of the reserve ranged from about 1400 m to 1500 m. This new species bears a striking resemblance to the Strobilanthus anceps Nees. The flowers of both species are white, the leaves are oval, the tips of the inflorescences are bent backwards to protect the inflorescence, and the yellow glands are located on the underside of the leaves.

Chloroplasts used as DNA barcoding to distinguish the new plant species from the other closest plant species, S. anceps. Furthermore, it explains how these two plant species separated into two species 0.33 million years ago.

The team told The Island Nelu has medicinal value for many ailments. Allowing the growth of other flowering plants in the forest due to the death of flowering plants from time to time plays an important ecologically role. It also helps maintain soil moisture. Young plucked plants are a delicacy of deer. Many birds and bees come to drink the nectar of the harvested flowers. Nelu is the host plant of some butterfly species.

The species has the ability to be used as a mature woody twig. Dyes such as indigo, are produced from the leaf extract of most harvested species. Land use for economic crops, illegal use of land, deforestation due to development projects, invasive plant growth, collection for firewood, arson, and climate change threaten plants. Due to these reasons, about 21 species of Nelu that are endemic to Sri Lanka are threatened with extinction.

Although the population was not flowering at that time, this appeared distinct in leaf characters of its morphologically closest ally S. anceps Nees (1837: 312). “We conducted extensive plant explorations across the entire distribution range of Strobilanthes in Sri Lanka covering 21 administrative districts from January 2012 to September 2020. However, this new plant was not found in any other location except Medahinna and we visited Medahinna several times to study this population since 2015. Finally, on 29th June 2020, we could observe flowers in the population at Medahinna,” the team pointed out.

After a closer examination of the specimens and critical study of the literature, comparison of the specimens at National Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya (PDA), and online herbaria. “We found that it is different from all known species of Strobilanthes in the world. In addition to the preparations of distribution map, superlative photographs, and meticulously illustrated line drawings, the complete chloroplast genomes of this interesting material and S. anceps were also analysed. According to morphological and molecular evidence, it could not be assigned to any previously published species; hence it is described as a new species,” the team added.

The team thanked the Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka (DWC) for the constant encouragement and facilities provided. They also thanked and Department of Forest Conservation, for permitting those to collect samples and the Agriculture Biotechnology Center, the University of Peradeniya for molecular analysis and the National Herbarium (PDA), the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya for the assistance in specimen examination, to Rukmal Ratnayake for the line drawings and acknowledged the Ecosystem Conservation and Management Project (EACAMP) for financial support.


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A sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive tourism industry can be built through close partnerships and collaboration – PM

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17 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The 13th Edition of Sancharaka Udawa 2026, Sri Lanka’s foremost Travel & Tourism Fair held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre – BMICH, Colombo on Friday [15th May].

Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the exhibition was held on 15 and 16 th of May.

The exhibition brought together over 250 exhibitors and 300+ stalls with the participation of more than 100 international agents featuring in B2B meetings, panel discussions , and workshops designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

This year’s exhibition welcomed foreign hosted buyers for the first time, creating unprecedented opportunities for local stakeholders to connect with international markets.

During the event, the Prime Minister officially opened the Exhibition Sancharaka Udawa 2026 for the public.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that the government’s vision is to build a sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious tourism industry, while emphasizing the need for the sector to adapt to environmental, political, economic, and global challenges. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of positioning Sri Lanka competitively in the global tourism arena and strengthening the country’s international brand as a unique destination.

Highlighting the importance of developing human capital and capacity within the sector, the Prime Minister underscored the role of ongoing education reforms in preparing young people for future opportunities. The Prime Minister stated that reforms in education should enable young people to access multiple pathways and gain exposure to industries such as tourism. In this regard, closer collaboration between the tourism sector and educational institutions was identified as essential.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic tourism and improving the overall tourism experience.

Emphasizing the future development of the sector, the Prime Minister noted that close partnership and collaboration between the government and the private sector are vital to achieving sustainable progress in the tourism industry.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Nalin Jayasundera, President, SLAITO,  Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman, SLTPB/SLTDA and representatives of Diplomatic core, agents and exhibitors.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka

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26 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The official ceremony to present Sannas Patra to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero, who was conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces, was held on Thursday [14 of May]  at the historic Pothubandhana Rajamaha Viharaya in Bibile, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Nayaka Thero. During the ceremony Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presented the official Sannas Pathraya conferring the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the Nayaka Thero, who entered monastic life in 1982, has rendered exemplary service to Buddhism and society for over four decades, setting a model for the entire community. She noted that the contributions made by the Thero by continuing the Sri Saranankara and Sri Saddhatissa Dhamma Schools, as well as the service carried out as the Chief Prelate of the Deegavapi Pirivena, are highly commendable.

The Prime Minister further stated that the humanitarian assistance extended annually by providing educational equipment to hundreds of children is commendable and strengthens the government’s efforts towards realizing educational policies. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the venerable Nayaka Thero toward the restoration of the historic Deegavapi Maha Seya and the development of other temples.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that initiatives such as the construction of a Bhikkhu ward at the Ampara Hospital demonstrate selfless dedication of the venerable Thero through actions. The Prime Minister further emphasized that religious leaders who work for the spiritual and social upliftment of the people in historically significant regions such as Wellassa and Bintenne are essential to the country, and that the conferring of this title by the Malwathu Chapter is an honour not only to the Thero but also to the people of those regions.

The occasion was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, and attended by the Minister Samantha Viddyarathna, Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Governor of Uva Province, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts

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22 hours ago

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2026/05/16

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 16 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 16 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

According to the today’s latest weather analysis, the low-pressure area located northeast of  Sri Lanka, still persists. The Department of Meteorology is continuously monitoring the behavior, development and path of the system.

Due to the influence of the above system, Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and cloudy skies are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 pm.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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