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WNPS partners LOLC to establish multi-regional monitoring system for conservation of Sri Lankan leopard

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/28

Jehan CanagaRetna, Hon General Seretary of the WNPS accepting the cheque for the first of five year commitment from Kapila Jayawardena Group Managing Director / CEO LOLC Group

February 21st 2022 (COLOMBO) The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is the largest of the four wild cat species found in Sri Lanka, and the apex mammalian predator on the island. The sub-species of this charismatic animal is endemic to Sri Lanka and widely distributed across the island’s dry zones and low country wet zones with habitats ranging to the cloud forests of the highest elevations in the hill country.

It is believed that there are less than 1,000 leopards roaming in the wild within the island. Further, the leopard is threatened globally by habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade, while in the human-dominated land-use areas in Sri Lanka, the impacts of habitat loss prevail critically. To initiate and sustain a science-based conservation strategy it is imperative to further understand the distribution and the ecology of the Sri Lankan leopard, specially, in under-studied areas nationwide.

In addressing this knowledge gap, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) will partner with LOLC Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading and largest diversified conglomerate to establish a network of specialized leopard conservation locations and research centers across identified geographically important areas, within Sri Lanka. These Research Centres will focus on understanding the species function in populations or meta-populations that exist at much larger scales than individual management units, at a regional level.

Through this initiative, the WNPS hopes to create a common knowledge and data-sharing platform to drive a research-based island-wide leopard monitoring programme. Through the establishment of these Research Centres nationwide, smaller monitoring efforts will be easily integrated into larger programs and databases. It will enable scientists and conservationists access to deeper and wider sets of data to understand local leopard populations, regionally and countrywide

In the initial phase, six research stations will be set up in identified locations across Okanda or Panama, Morningside, Killinochchi, Belihuloya, Maskeliya or Nallathaniya, Sigiriya or Ritigala. The Project will monitor the presence of leopards in selected geographical areas, using camera traps and surveys.

The Research Centres will liaise with local wildlife and forest officers, and also serve as educational hubs to generate awareness amongst the local communities, including knowledge dissemination and generating research-based human-leopard conflict mitigation measures. This is timely and critical, in addressing the increasing number of leopard deaths in Sri Lanka, predominantly through snares set up in a human-dominated landscape.

The Project will provide a critical context for the management and conservation of the Sri Lankan leopard, currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Recent research has shown that leopard habitat suitability in Sri Lanka is heavily influenced by forest cover, patch size, connectivity, and the level of protection of the landscape, a critical requirement to conserve the island’s biodiversity.

“As the Sri Lankan leopard is the largest predator in our ecosystem, it is important that we know the current position related to its habitat, the threats faced by it etc. Hence, it is vital to do a more coordinated island-wide data collection effort to mitigate any conflicts or issues faced by this predator” said Mr. Kapila Jayawardena, Group Managing Director/CEO of the LOLC Group. “To this end, we are pleased to step forward and join hands with the WNPS to support them in this endeavour, which will enable them to make informed decisions to protect this endemic species” he went on to state.

“Multi-stakeholder partnerships play a key role in influencing the course of conservation. For lasting impacts, a range of extraordinary partners, including governments, local communities, businesses, scientists, academics, and individuals must collaborate. We are happy that Sri Lanka’s largest Business and most diversified Business Group has partnered with us for a 5-year project. The WNPS will bring the wild cat research community to work together and share the findings for a collective conservation effort” said Spencer Manuelpillai, the President of the WNPS.

Speaking further Prof Enoka Kudavidanage said, “The Sri Lankan Leopard is threatened by our unplanned land use, intentional wildlife crimes, lack of awareness, economic intentions especially in the tourism sector with minimum respect for wildlife, obstacles for enforcing adequate penalties for wildlife crimes, limited understanding of its ecology and resource requirements, and finally the delay in translating knowledge into action.

“I am hoping that this initiative by the WNPS and LOLC Holdings will assist to combine findings of the past and the ongoing research and conservation measures, identify the data gaps, addressing them through collaborative pathways, facilitate data sharing, and fueling a collective and science-driven long-termed leopard conservation strategy for Sri Lanka with the participation of multiple stakeholders. The project will benefit from the knowledge, of all researchers studying leopards in Sri Lanka, of those who are actively working for the conservation of this charismatic animal, and of those who are willing to initiate new research in data deficient areas, as our ultimate objective is to ensure the existence of healthy populations of leopards in Sri Lanka”.

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Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekara passes away aged 83

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

Former Matara District Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister Mahinda Wijesekara has passed away this morning (02) at the age of 83 family sources have announced.

Mahinda Wijesekara served as a Member of Parliament for the Matara district for over two decades (1989 to 2010), representing the People’s Alliance, the United National Party and the United People’s Freedom Alliance.

He held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Postal and Telecommunication Services in 2008, Minister of Forestry and Envioronment 1999-2001, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources from 2001 to 2004 and Minister of Special Projects 2007-2008

He was in poor health following injuries sustained in the 2009 bomb attack by the LTTE terrorists in Godapitiya, Matara.

He was the father of former Minister Kanchana Wijesekara.

News

Navy seize 323kg of heroin from fishing vessel in southwestern seas

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

In a decisive strike against the drug menace, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a local multiday fishing trawler carrying a staggering haul of suspected narcotics in the seas southwest of the island.

This operation, carried out under the national mission “A Nation United”, resulted in the apprehension of six suspects (06) and the seizure of the trawler used to smuggle the illicit substance.

Following the mid-sea interception, the trawler was escorted to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on the morning of 01 Apr 2026. A meticulous inspection conducted by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) subsequently confirmed that the sacks (19) aboard contained more than 323kg of heroin.

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, accompanied by the Commander Western Naval Area and the Director General Operations, visited the Dikowita harbour to personally inspect the drug haul.

Addressing the media, the Navy Commander emphasized that these intensified surveillance efforts are carried out under the direct guidance of the Ministry of Defence. He highlighted that the Navy and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard have strategically coordinated operations across the island’s maritime zones to disrupt trafficking routes and ensure national security.

The Commander of the Navy stated that through surveillance operations conducted this year, the Navy has intercepted local multi-day fishing trawlers attempting to bring illegal substances. This has enabled the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics intended to be smuggled into Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, based on foreign intelligence received by the Sri Lanka Navy, continuous surveillance operations carried out off the Beruwala sea area over the past few days led to the recent (01 April) successful operation, he opined.

The Naval Chief stated that so far this year, 07 local multi-day fishing trawlers have been apprehended by the Navy. The street value of the narcotics seized from these boats is estimated to be approximately Rs. 40 billion.

The 06 suspects, the fishing trawler, and the seized heroin were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for comprehensive investigation and onward legal proceedings.

News

PM opens ‘Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre built with modern facilities in Kataragama

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/2

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a society must be built where all senior citizens can lead lives of safety, freedom, happiness, health, mobility, and spiritual well-being, with their rights safeguarded. She further emphasized that this is a responsibility shared by both the government and society.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday (31st of March) while virtually participating in the opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre constructed with modern facilities in Kataragama. The event was held at the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, located in the new Sethsiripaya building.

During the event, the Prime Minister was presented with a draft of regulations and guidelines related to the regulation of institutions that provide residential care for senior citizens, by representatives of the National Council for Senior Citizens.

Expressing her views further, the Prime Minister stated:

“This project, which commenced in 2022, had been halted due to various reasons. However, we have now resumed the project and are pleased to hand it over to the public today.

One of the key commitments of our policy is to create a society that ensures safety and protects the rights of all. Everyone, from the young to the elderly, deserves to enjoy these rights, freedom, and happiness.

A significant portion of our population is rapidly transitioning into senior age. However, the age of 60 still represents an active stage of life where individuals can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. Senior citizens have needs, as well as abilities and valuable experience. We must recognize that they can continue to engage with society and remain active contributors.

Institutions that provide services for senior citizens play a vital role, and maintaining them is a social responsibility. It is essential to ensure the rights and provision of necessary services for all senior citizens, whether they live within families, independently, or in institutional settings.

We must ensure access to healthcare, transportation, lifelong learning, freedom, happiness, and spiritual well-being for senior citizens, while safeguarding their rights.

We should move beyond the traditional concept of ’elders homes’ and instead develop institutions that cater to the diverse needs of senior citizens, enabling them to spend their later years with dignity and respect.”

The opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ Elder Care, Training and Research Centre, was carried out by Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R. M. Jayawardhana, along with regional public representatives and government officials. The occasion was attended virtually by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage; Secretary to the Ministry, Sampath Manthrinayake; and other ministry officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)