News

150 elephants trapped, starving in Oyamaduwa: Veterinary Association

Published

6 months ago

January 4, 2025

editor

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)

News

Fresh probe into Shiranthi’s bank account

Published

1 hour ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs – Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala has informed Parliament that a renewed investigation is underway into a fraudulent bank account allegedly maintained by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He stated that a fake account titled ‘Siriliya Saviya’ had been opened in her name and that the mandate form related to the ‘Siriliya’ Organization’s bank accounts had been fraudulently removed from the bank.

The Minister further revealed :

The account, now suspended, was opened on November 14, 2006, at the People’s Bank, Suduwella Branch, Darley Road, Colombo 10, under account number 143/1/001/4/6235069. Shiranthi Rajapaksa is listed as the chairperson of the account, with Kalyani Dissanayake as secretary and Nirosha Jeevani as treasurer.

The account currently holds a balance of Rs.43 million. Records indicate that Rs. 82,900,088 had been deposited on 88 occasions, while Rs.39,015,656 had been withdrawn on 129 occasions. Additionally, a fixed deposit of Rs.10 million had been opened under the name ‘Siriliya’.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has resumed investigations into the matter.

Deputy Minister also mentioned several other questionable financial transactions involving the Rajapaksa family, such as ;

Rs.152 million allegedly obtained by CSN (Carlton Sports Network) from the Treasury.
Rs.35 million obtained by Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Urban Development Authority to build a memorial for his parents.
Rs.208 million used by Basil Rajapaksa to purchase a house in Malwana.

News

Maldivian President’s office officials on study tour at Prez secretariat

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Officials from the Maldivian President’s Office arrived at the Presidential Secretariat today for a study tour. They are expected to remain in Sri Lanka until June 27th.

The primary areas of focus for their study tour include archives and records maintenance and preservation, stores management, inventory control and stock preservation.

During their visit, they are scheduled to tour the Department of National Archives, Sri Lanka Customs, Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat and the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Eight officials from the Maldivian President’s Office are participating in this study tour. They met with Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, at the Presidential Secretariat and engaged in a discussion.

A group of officials from the Presidential Secretariat also attended the meeting.

(President’s Media Division)

News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arrives in SL (Update)

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has arrived in the island for an official visit.

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(Previous update 2025/06/23 at 9:11 am)

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk arrives in SL today

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Volker Türk, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (June 23).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, he is to remain in the country until June 26.

This is the first visit by a UN Human Rights Chief to Sri Lanka since February 2016.

During his stay, he is expected to meet with the President, Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.