A 150-hectare site near the Kalu Ganga Reservoir in Matale District has been earmarked for Sri Lanka’s first-ever holding centre for Toque Macaques, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) announced.

The centre will feature water, food, and security facilities, providing a safe environment to manage macaques that cause damage in nearby communities. The Matale District Development Committee has approved the project, following a recommendation from the DWC.

Wildlife Range Officer Chamath Lakshman Perera told the Committee that similar holding centres operate in several countries, including Malaysia. A total of Rs. 283.87 million has been allocated for the project.

Under the plan, macaques causing destruction will be captured and relocated to the centre. Population control measures will include fitting loops on female monkeys to prevent breeding. The facility will be secured to ensure the animals cannot escape back into the wild.

Officials said the site has sufficient natural food sources, but additional supplies will be provided if necessary. Each macaque is expected to require around 70 grams of food per day.

The project aims to balance wildlife conservation with community protection, offering a model for managing human-macaque conflicts in the country, Perera said.

by Nimal Gunathilake

The United Nations’ Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), launched in December 2025 to aid those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, has received US$ 22.4 million in funding to date, the UN Office in Colombo said.

The Cyclone Ditwah – Situation Report, issued on Friday (6) by the UN Office in Colombo, said that the government-backed plan initially sought US$ 35.3 million to support victims between December 2025 and April 2026. Contributions have come from countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

According to the latest UN update, more than 216,000 people have benefited from the HPP, which is being implemented by 68 partner organisations across all 25 districts.

Cyclone Ditwah caused the worst flooding and landslide damage in Sri Lanka in two decades, affecting around 2.2 million people. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports 646 deaths and 173 missing persons as of 29 December 2025.

The overall response is led by the government at national and subnational levels, supported by the UN, humanitarian partners, civil society, the private sector, and bilateral and multilateral donors. The DMC continues to coordinate operational efforts with line ministries and local authorities.

Under the HPP, the UN Humanitarian Country Team is supporting government-led coordination across sectors including education, food security, agriculture and nutrition, health, protection, shelter, and early recovery.

Former Deputy Secretary to the Treasury R. M. P. Ratnayake told the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Friday that under an India–Sri Lanka loan agreement, funds allocated for the purchase of medicines must be used strictly for that purpose, and any issues should be addressed through a remedial committee.

Ratnayake made these submissions during the continuation of evidence in the case filed by the Attorney General against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other accused. The case pertains to the procurement of substandard human immunoglobulin. The matter was heard before a Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, comprising Justices Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasuriya, and Thilakaratne Bandara.  He appeared as the 182nd witness in the case related to irregularities in government purchases of medicines under the Indian Loan Proposal Scheme. He told the court that he did not have full knowledge of all conditions of the agreement and could not recall having seen a copy of the full document.

The loan, originally approved at USD 1 billion during the tenure of then President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, was granted to ease foreign exchange shortages and support essential imports. Ratnayake said the funds were not a grant and must be repaid after four years with interest.

During cross-examination, he admitted that only about 27% of the funds allocated to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation had been spent, while nearly 100% of the private sector allocation was used as intended. He said he had informed relevant authorities, including the chair of the Pharmaceutical Procurement Committee, of the shortfall and delays.

Ratnayake said the government had intended to maximise the loan’s benefits and address delays, and that he had acted on behalf of the Treasury Secretary in signing conditions to extend the loan period. He also confirmed that public hospitals and healthcare services continued to operate free of charge despite the funding issues.

The witness acknowledged that the higher dollar exchange rate at the time had contributed to rising prices and inflation. He added that any problems arising from the Indian loan scheme were to be handled by a designated remedial committee, as stipulated in the agreement.

The court adjourned the examination of the witness until 10 am today (9).

by A. J. A. Abeynayake