The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.

Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.

Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.

Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.

SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.

Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena, inquiring into the conduct of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon will meet daily from 16 June.

Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) of Parliament M. Jayalath Perera said that the decision had been taken on 11 June, when four witnesses gave evidence before the Committee. The IGP is under investigation regarding acts of gross abuse of power.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened at Parliament from 9.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., during which evidence was thus recorded.

The committee of inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor

General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, cross-examined the witnesses.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation has released the results of Sri Lanka’s first countrywide wildlife census of common but often overlooked animals.

According to a report released by the ministry, Sri Lanka is currently home to some 5.17 million Toque Monkeys (rilava), 1.74 million Grey Langurs (wandura), 2.66 million palm squirrels (dandu lēna), and more than 4.24 million peacocks (monaru).

These findings, gathered during the 2024 countrywide census, reflect a detailed and collaborative effort spanning multiple government and research institutions.

“This is the most comprehensive enumeration of these species ever undertaken in the country,” said A.L. Sandika, Director

and CEO of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI).

“The numbers are a wake-up call—not just about their population densities, but about the mounting pressure these animals are placing on agriculture and rural livelihoods.”

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), though not the lead agency in the census, welcomed the data, calling it a “critical baseline for future wildlife management.”

The initiative was sparked not only by conservation priorities but also by growing farmer grievances. Monkeys, and peacocks are among the most frequently cited species in crop-raiding incidents, especially in districts like Moneragala, Ampara, and Anuradhapura.

“These animals are not just statistics. They are part of a deeper, escalating conflict between people and nature,” said a spokesperson for the DWC. “This data will help shape humane and sustainable management strategies, rather than relying on ad-hoc or harmful methods of population control.”

Unlike previous partial studies, this census employed a combination of direct observation, drone surveys, GPS-tagging, and farmer-reported data, covering both forested areas and farmlands. Officials confirmed that over 5,000 personnel were deployed across 25 districts during the year-long data-gathering phase.

Experts say the census helps break the long-held assumption that only large mammals like elephants or leopards deserve close population monitoring.

But not everyone is pleased. Some environmentalists warn that such population estimates may be misused to justify mass culling.

The report has already sparked renewed public discourse. On social media, citizens are debating whether peacocks—once beloved for their beauty—have now become pests. Others are urging greater investment in non-lethal mitigation techniques, such as crop insurance schemes, electric fencing, and the reforestation of buffer zones.

Some scientists, meanwhile, are calling for the next phase: integrating this data into a national biodiversity dashboard.The Ministry has proposed that such a census be conducted every five years, with expanded categories including reptiles, amphibians, and even invasive species.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️