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Some politicians, businessmen don’t understand value of wetlands – Amaraweera
By Ifham Nizam
It was not easy to explain the value of a wetland to some politicians and businessmen, Environment, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Briefing the media to mark World Wetlands Day, which falls today-February 2, he said the government had taken legal action against those who destroyed wetlands. “Anyone who destroys wetlands will be brought to justice,” he said. Amaraweera stressed that it was the responsibility of everyone to protect the wetlands. “Six major wetland systems in our country have been designated as Ramsar Wet Sanctuaries; The Bundala National Park, the Anavilundawa Sanctuary, the Maduganga Sanctuary, the Wankale Sanctuary, the Kumana National Park and the Wilpattu National Park. In 1971 the World Wetlands Day was declared at a convention held in Ramsar, Iran, and countries around the world implement various programmes to commemorate World Wetlands Day. The theme of World Wetlands Day 2021 is “Wetland and Water.” Minister Amaraweera said: “We have to fight with some businessmen, underworld gangs and other such elements, besides some government officials to protect the Muthurajawela Wet Sanctuary.”More than 30 such individuals had already been prosecuted for causing damage to the environment, the Minister said.Environmentalists believe that Muthurajawela filters the groundwater in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts. There were reports of some individuals damaging the Muthurajawela and Anavilundawa wetlands in the recent past. Amaraweera said that he had personally visited the sites and taken necessary steps to protect the wetlands. Arrangements have been made for a special programme at the Ministry of Environment today to mark the World Wetlands Day.
According to the National Environmental Act, No 47 of 1980 (as amended) and the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations gazette 722/22 of June 1993, “filling of more than four hectares of a wetland, removal of trees from more than one hectare needs an EIA. Surely, the CEA is aware that Muthurajawela was a wetland with many ecosystem services which cannot be sacrificed for a development project of this nature, Centre for Environmental Justice, Environmental Scientist Hemanatha Withanage said. “Muthurajawela is a marsh connecting the Kelani River and the Negombo lagoon with a 30km long wetland area – a critically important flood control system for the Gampaha district – to drain water from paddy lands in the upstream lowlands.”As the country’s largest saline coastal peat bog, the Muthurajawela marshes are 3,068 ha (7,580 acres) in extent. It is one of 12 priority wetlands in the country. The marsh, together with the Negombo lagoon forms an integrated coastal wetland ecosystem (6,232 ha in total extent). The marsh-lagoon complex is believed to have originated about 5,000 years ago.
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.
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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.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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