The report of the National Animal Census conducted on March 15, was officially released at the Ministry of Agriculture today (June 12).

Accordingly, the islandwide survey shows the following numbers of wild animals:

Toque monkeys (Rilawa) – 5.17 million
Gray Langurs (Wandura) – 1.74 million
Giant Squirrel (Dandu Lena) – 2.66 million
Peacocks – 4.24 million

A writ petition filed by the Centre for Society and Religion, seeking an order to conduct a credible investigation and take appropriate actions against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardane for his omission and serious dereliction of duty which led to the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019, was today (June 12) fixed for support by the Court of Appeal.

The two-judge-bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa fixed the matter for support on October 14.

The Centre for Society and Religion, its Chairman Fr. Rohan Silva and Surach Nilanga, a victim of the Easter Sunday attacks, filed this petition naming the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena and the Attorney General as respondents.

The section of railway between Kandy and Peradeniya affected by ground subsidence has been repaired and services restored, the Railway Department announced.

The Podi Menike train from Colombo Fort to Badulla was operated at 5.55 a.m. today (June 12) to assess safety, successfully passing the repaired section around 9 a.m. and reaching Kandy without issue.

However, the authorities stated that trains will continue to run at reduced speeds in the affected area.

This subsidence was attributed to recent heavy rainfall in Kandy.