News

Environmentalists against sending Toque macaques to China! (Video)

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2023

editor

Animal welfare organizations have protested against sending Sri Lankan animals to other countries either for meat or scientific research purposes.

They said this in response to a discussion held yesterday (11) regarding the sending of Sri Lankan Toque macaques (known as ‘Rilau’ in Sinhala), to China.

Environmentalist Dr. Jagath Gunawardena said that Sri Lankan animals can be sent to foreign countries only for conservation programmes or animal exchange programmes.

Environmentalists also said that a proper survey must be conducted before sending Sri Lankan Toque macaques to China.

Discussion held with Minister of Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera has proposed to send 100,000 Toque macaques to China as a method to minimise the crop damage caused by these animals and to control their population.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that the minister has taken this decision following a request made by China to provide these animals to China.

A delegation from China met with the minister yesterday (11) to discuss the matter.

The ministry said that the Chinese authorities have made this request to display these Toque macaques in their zoos.

A group of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Zoological Gardens Department and the Wildlife Department also joined the discussion held between the Chinese delegation and the Minister of Agriculture.

Under the first phase, it has been discussed to send 100,000,000 Toque macaques to China.

Committee to be appointed

It is planned to appoint a committee consisting of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Department of Zoological Gardens, Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Attorney General’s Department to prepare the required legal proceedings in this regard.

It has also been decided to immediately prepare the Cabinet paper needed to set up this committee which will be appointed to study the legal background to send Toque macaques to a foreign country.

According to a study conducted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute in 2022, it has been revealed that in the first six months of the year from January to June, 93 million coconuts have been destroyed by monkeys, Toque macaques and giant squirrels.

The farmers alleged that although various solutions have been proposed in the past regarding the alternative measures that can be taken to avoid the crop damage caused by animals, none of them have been implemented in a positive manner.

At present, the population of Toque macaques in Sri Lanka is close to 3 million, and the Ministry of Agriculture said that all the efforts made by the government to reduce this population have failed.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers have requested the Minister of Agriculture to give them firearms to kill the animals that damage crops.

(Video: Hiru)

News

Incorporate zero-tolerance policy on ragging – BASL

Published

7 minutes ago

May 6, 2025

editor

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged all responsible authorities in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions to take necessary preemptive action and incorporate a zero-tolerance policy on unlawful ragging.

The BASL said this in a statement issued yesterday (May 05) with regard to the recent suicide by a student at the Sabaragamuwa University connected with an alleged incident of ragging.

The BASL says they strongly condemn any form of ragging, bullying or violence directed at any student at any educational institution which is not only violative of the law but also in violation of basic human values and conduct.

“The BASL is deeply concerned about the inadequate implementation of the provisions of the ‘Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act No. 20 of 1998’, by law enforcement authorities, against perpetrators of ragging and violence in these Institutions. The BASL is also mindful of the applicability of the provisions of the ‘Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act No. 22 of 1994’ and the relevant provisions of the Penal Code,” the statement notes.

“The BASL is also considering seeking intervention of the Courts of Law to ensure better implementation and enforcement of the applicable law,” the statement added.

The full statement of the BASL is as follows :

News

Sabaragamuwa Uni. ragging ; 11 students suspended

Published

50 minutes ago

May 6, 2025

editor

Academic activities of 11 students of the Sabaragamuwa University have been suspended over the recent death of a student allegedly due to ragging, police said.

The suspended students include the 04 third year students arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on Sunday (May 04), reports say.

Meanwhile, 04 more students of the university were handed over to the CID for questioning after surrendering to the Samanalawewa Police, reports add.

News

Rains expected in several areas today

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Central, Uva, North-Central, and Eastern provinces and in the Hambantota district after 1.00 p.m today (May 06).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island during the afternoon or night.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central and Uva provinces and in the Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.