News

05 forests to be declared as protected reserves

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2025

editor

In line with the upcoming World Environment Day on June 5, today (June 02) has been designated as Biodiversity Conservation Day under Sri Lanka’s National Environment Week.

To mark the occasion, the Government is set to declare five forests located in the Galle, Kegalle, and Monaragala districts as protected reserves through a special gazette notification.

These include the Kottawa Forest in Galle, the Nilgala Forest in Monaragala, the Udaliyadda Forest near the Dehiowita site in Kegalle, the Tulhirikanda Forest covering 46 hectares in Kegalle and the Werahankanda Forest in Dehiowita, spanning 37 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has also decided to designate the area where the endangered Pethia bandula, commonly known as the Bandula Barb, a species of cyprinid endemic to Sri Lanka, lives as a conservation zone.

The Bandula Barb is a freshwater fish species endemic to Sri Lanka and is found only in the Galapitamada area, located within the Warakapola Divisional Secretariat.

News

Immunoglobulin case : Keheliya to be indicted next week

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other suspects linked to the alleged import of substandard human immunoglobulin will be indicted before a three-judge High Court bench next week.

The Former Health Minister was arrested in early February 2024 and remanded over the alleged import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections.

He was granted bail after seven months by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

He is charged with alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

ASPI hits new all-time high

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today (June 03), with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) reaching an all-time high of 17,214.39, marking an increase of 234.50 points (1.38%). Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index also recorded an all-time high, rising by 96.36 points (1.91%) to close at 5,131.28.

Total market turnover amounted to LKR 7.37 billion, with 271.94 million shares traded. Market breadth reflected a positive sentiment, with 139 gainers and 77 losers contributing to the overall movement of the ASPI.

The previous record of 17,193.80 points was set on February 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 has climbed 108.53 points (2.1%) to reach 5143.45 points at the close of trading.

News

Draft Bill to recognize sign language as official communication medium

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2025

editor

The Cabinet has granted approval to proceed with finalizing a draft bill to recognize sign language as an official medium of communication in Sri Lanka.

The cabinet paper was tabled by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. The initiative aims to ensure full societal participation and equal access to information for the deaf community.

The move builds on earlier policy approval granted in 2010 to accept sign language formally, with subsequent Cabinet decisions in 2017 and 2021 directing legal drafting of the bill.