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Train snuffs out another jumbo life

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The Colombo-Kankesanthurai express train derailed at Kanagarayankulam, Vavuniya yesterday morning after colliding with an elephant.

Although passengers escaped unharmed in the accident, the elephant was killed. The wildlife officials removed the carcass.

Environmentalists claim that a number of areas where elephants cross railway lines have been identified and successive governments have tried to solve the issue unsuccessfully.

Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) told The Island that Trincomalee – Anuradhapura-Habarana and the stretch between Madu and Mannar were also areas where similar accidents took place regularly.

“We have tried many short term solutions. For example there is a proposal to fix a horn to scare away elephants, a proposal to implement speed limits and to take wildlife officers in trains. All these measures have failed.”

Chamikara said that one of the best solutions to the perennial problem was to elevate the railway track in identified areas of traditional elephant crossing so that the poor animals could pass such places unharmed underneath the track.

“We can do this with electric fences. After a while the elephants would get used to it. We don’t need to elevate the track for miles. That can be done only in areas where train-elephant accidents are frequent.”

 



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Govt. will respond depending on outcome of probe: Minister

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Rohingya detainees: Mujibur seeks AKD’s intervention

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday (05) said that investigations were underway to ascertain whether a group of Rohingyas rescued off Mullaitivu late last month were genuine asylum seekers. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority in Myanmar.

Minister Wijepala said that 12 members of the crew had been remanded pending investigations while others, numbering 103, had been moved to the Mullaitivu SLAF station, which was recently declared as a detention facility.

Minister Wijepala said so when The Island sought his response to SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman seeking President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s intervention to prevent repatriation of the group to Myanmar.

In a letter dated January 04, 2025, the Colombo District MP urged the government to provide them refuge here till arrangements could be made to send them to another country willing to accept them.

Minister Wijepala said that the government would act depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.

 “We are also in touch with Myanmar authorities in this regard,” Minister Wijepala said, adding that investigations conducted so far indicated that the group detained here was involved with human smugglers.

Declaring that the government wouldn’t be influenced by various interested parties seeking to take advantage of the developments, Minister Wijepala emphasized the responsibility on their part not to encourage human smuggling.

Human Rights Commissioner (HRC) Nimal G. Punchihewa told The Island that the Commission had received an assurance on 31 Dec., 2024, from representatives of the SLAF and Immigration and Emigration that a comprehensive report on the issue at hand would be handed over tomorrow (07).

Punchihewa said that an explanation was sought after the SLAF declined to allow the HRC team access to the detainees at Mullaitivu SLAF station. According to Punchihewa, once the HRC received the report, senior representatives from their northern offices could visit the detained group. The civil society activist said that the visit could be arranged this week.

During last Tuesday’s meeting, the Immigration and Emigration Department had taken the stand that the group detained here were involved with human smugglers.

Punchihewa said that according to section 11(d) of the HRCSL Act, No. 21 of 1996, the powers and functions of the Commission extend not only to Sri Lankan citizens but to “any person” detained within Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Commission has the statutory authority to access the SLAF Mullaitivu station and monitor the detention conditions of all asylum seekers, including the children.

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Thriposha company won’t be closed – Health Minister

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Minister Jayatissa at the Thriposha facility (pic courtesy Health and Media Ministry)

‘Previous govt. planned to shut it down’

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has assured that the state-owned Thriposha Company, situated at Kandana, will be modernised. This assurance was given during Dr. Jayatissa’s visit to the facility on Saturday (04) to discuss how to improve the facility to meet the demand.

The Opposition has alleged that the NPP government issued Gazette Notification No. 2403/53, dated 27 Sept., 2024, announcing the abolition of the state-owned Sri Lanka Thriposha Company.

During discussions with the top management of the Thriposha company, Minister Jayatissa said that the people couldn’t receive maximum possible benefits for want of proper plans. He assured that the NPP government would take tangible measures to help the company meet required nutritional standards.

Dr. Jayatissa claimed that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government had planned to close it down.

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SLN Cadet at Pakistan Navy Academy wins coveted Sword of Honour

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In this handout photo, released by Pakistan Navy on January 4, 2025, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, awards Sword of Honour to the best midshipman, Sri Lanka’s Tennakoon M. L. Vimutkhi, during the 122 Midshipmen and 30th SSC Commissioning Parade at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)

The Pakistan Naval Academy held a commissioning parade on Saturday (4) to mark the graduation of 49 midshipmen and 29 short-service commissioning cadets, including officers from Iraq, Sri Lanka and other countries, according to a statement from the Pakistan Navy.

The text of the Arab News report datelined Karachi: “The Pakistan military regularly trains officers and cadets of allied nations, particularly from the Gulf region. The parade’s chief guest, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, was invited to the reception by Pakistan’s top naval official Admiral Naveed Ashraf before witnessing the ceremony.

He extended congratulations to the newly commissioned officers and their parents, while specifically addressing foreign cadets and officials.

“He [the air chief] commended Pakistan Naval Academy for imparting high-quality training to cadets, including those from friendly countries,” the official statement said. “He expressed the hope that these cadets from friendly nations will serve as ambassadors, strengthening bonds of friendship and mutual respect.”

The air chief emphasised the need for future leaders to stay updated with modern technologies and the evolving geo-strategic landscape.

“In today’s high-tech and information-driven era, only knowledgeable leaders can effectively address emerging challenges,” he told the commissioning term.

Awards were presented to distinction holders, highlighting the diverse achievements of the graduates.

The prestigious Sword of Honor went to Midshipman Tennakoon M.L. Vimukthi from Sri Lanka for his exceptional performance. Officer Cadet Ali Jalil Ibrahim Sharif Shuhaib Al Shabani from Iraq was awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal, while the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Medal was awarded to Lt. Muhammad Imad Ud Din for being the best all-round officer.

The Pakistan Naval Academy has long served as a hub for professional and academic training, equipping cadets with skills to meet modern maritime challenges.

Its programmes also help foster international cooperation, as displayed by the diverse nationalities of its graduates this year.”

The Pakistan Navy sponsored Sri Lankan cadet’s parents to travel to Karachi to witness this historic achievement by their beloved son.

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