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150 elephants trapped, starving in Oyamaduwa: Veterinary Association

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Around 150 elephants, including tuskers and calves, are reportedly trapped and starving in the Oyamaduwa area following a failed attempt to relocate them from regions such as Sravastipura, Thambuttegama, Vilachchiya, Moragoda and Thanthirimale in the Anuradhapura district to Wilpattu National Park. 

This was revealed by the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Populations.

Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, an advisor to the association’s board, said that the elephants have been confined without food at the Oyamaduwa National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) farm for over a week.  

Many elephants are refusing to leave the area, remaining stuck within the NLDB farm premises. Their confinement prevents them from accessing food at night or following natural migration routes.  

Dr. Nanayakkara urged authorities to allow the elephants to leave the farm and resume their natural migration to manage the situation.  

“If the elephants are driven to Wilpattu, the available food may not be sufficient for such a large herd, potentially leading to fatalities. The use of firecrackers to drive them away is harmful – it can deafen or blind elephants and cause injuries. Calves are especially vulnerable and may be killed in the chaos,” he explained.  

He stressed the need to establish a secretariat under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance to develop a national policy. This should involve collaboration with veterinarians, environmentalists, zoologists and relevant animal welfare organizations.  

Dr. Nanayakkara called for government oversight of elephant movements and compensation for any property or crop damage during migration. He noted that while local wildlife officers and residents support this approach, senior administrative officials are hesitant to implement it, exacerbating the elephants’ suffering.  

Efforts to periodically relocate elephants have consistently failed, he added.  

Dr. Nanayakkara also criticised certain media outlets for sensationalizing the issue and causing public hysteria, while some government officials respond with unnecessary force.  

A senior official from the Department of Wildlife acknowledged ongoing issues with the relocation but emphasised that efforts are being made to resolve them.  

“Our ultimate goal is to resettle the elephants in Wilpattu,” she said, dismissing claims that the elephants are in immediate danger.  

The official confirmed that the Air Force will begin assisting with aerial surveys from Friday to track the elephants’ movements and provide further support.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by dailymirror.lk staff)

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Heavy rains expected today

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Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (June 23).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district.

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

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Yupun records season’s best timing in Germany

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Italy-based Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon recorded an impressive return to form by clocking a season-best 10.18 seconds to win the final ‘B’ of the 100m at the 2025 International Athletic Meet (Continental Tour Bronze Event) in Dessau, Germany on Saturday.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympian, who boasts a personal best of 9.96 seconds, has been gradually regaining his rhythm after struggling with injuries last year.

Abeykoon, the South Asian record holder in the 100m, continues to lead the regional rankings as the fastest athlete in South Asia this year, while also being joint 16th on the Asian list for 2025.

At 30 years old, Abeykoon now sets his sights on qualifying for the World Championships in Tokyo next September, where the direct entry standard stands at 10.00 seconds. (D.R)

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Solar power tariffs revised

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The Cabinet has approved a revision of tariffs for newly contracted solar energy systems in Sri Lanka, effective from June 16, 2025.

According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Energy dated June 20, the updated rates are as follows:

  • Rs. 20.90 per unit for systems up to 5 kilowatts (kW)
  • Rs. 19.61 per unit for systems between 5 kW and 20 kW
  • Rs. 17.46 per unit for systems between 20 kW and 100 kW

These revised rates will apply to all applicants who pay the system clearance fees on or after June 16, 2025. The new tariffs will also be valid for extension requests submitted on or after that date.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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