News

Team from Colombo to probe Gal Ara forest destruction!

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2022

editor

A group of officers have left Colombo today (28) to investigate the incident of cutting down trees at the Gal Ara buffer zone of Yala National Park.

It was reported that 200 to 300 years old Palu and Weera trees in that area have been cut down and a 40-feet wide road has been marked around an area of about 40 acres.

The residents alleged that this destruction was carried out for 5 days by a timber businessman in Debarawewa.

It is said that out of these 40 acres, 30 acres will be given to this businessman and the remaining 10 acres will be given to several forest conservation officers of Lunugamwehera.

Commenting on the incident, Lunugamwehera Site Officer Kumudu Rohana told the media that such an incident has not been reported to him.

In this forest, trees such as Dimbul, Palu and Weera can be seen in abundance and environmentalists pointed out that the destruction of these trees cannot prevent the invasion of wild elephants.

Environmentalist Prince Surendra Dahanayake revealed to the media that small tanks have been constructed in this area to provide water for wild animals during the dry season, and the water for those small tanks is obtained from Gal Ara. He said this large-scale land smuggling is carried out by obstructing all these water streams.

Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary Chandima Manamperi said that since there are frequent reports of clearing forest conservation lands, she has instructed the Lunugamwehera forest conservation officers to take appropriate action.

News

Navy rescues Indian fishermen from capsized boat off Talaimannar (Pics)

Published

1 hour ago

June 28, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 04 Indian fishermen aboard an Indian fishing boat capsized in the Sri Lankan waters off Talaimannar on June 25.

Upon receiving the distress alert, a team of the Special Boat Squadron stationed at SLNS Thammanna, under the North Central Naval Command swiftly launched a search and rescue operation. During the rescue mission, the naval personnel located the overturned Indian boat, capsized after being caught in rough seas north of Sand Dune VII, and safely rescued all four fishermen.

The rescued individuals, identified as residents of Rameswaram, India, were brought ashore by the Navy and provided with necessary assistance.

The fisherman in good health condition were subsequently handed over to the Talaimannar Police for onward action. The Sri Lanka Navy remains vigilant in assisting distressed maritime and fishing communities within Sri Lankan waters, reaffirming its commitment to maritime safety and humanitarian efforts.

(Pics : navy.lk)

News

Validity of re-entry visa extended for Lankans working in Israel

Published

1 hour ago

June 28, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has issued a special notice for Sri Lankans working in Israel.

A statement issued by the ministry states :

Due to the unstable situation in the Middle East region, the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) of Israel has decided to extend the validity period of the re-entry visa of those who have come to Sri Lanka possessing a re-entry visa with the hope of returning to their respective employments in Israel until 2025.07.31.

Accordingly, as international flights to Israel have started presently, those who came to Sri Lanka on re-entry visa have the possibility to return to work in Israel until 31.07.2025 even after the expiry of the re-entry visa.

All relevant institutions have been informed in this regard.