News

Dept of Wildlife steps into restore coral reefs in Hikkaduwa

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2023

editor

The Wildlife Conservation Department has focused on restoring the Hikkaduwa Coral Reef, which is 90 percent dead.

Under the programme live coral parts washed ashore with the waves are planted on coconut shell-shaped cement blocks and nursed in the shallow and medium-deep seabed of Hikkaduwa Marine National Park.

These coral nurseries are constantly monitored by wildlife officers. It is expected that this project will continue for the next five years. It is hoped to replace the well-grown corals in the coral reef in due course.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation is making preliminary plans to carry out a similar coral restoration project at the Kalpitiya Coral Reef Sanctuary.

For this motive, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is supported by the Ocean Resource Conservation Agency (ORCA) and the Boat Owners Association.

(report and pics : sundaytimes.lk)

News

2 injured in Kotahena shooting

Published

10 hours ago

May 16, 2025

editor

A man and a woman have been injured in a shooting incident in the Kotahena area this evening (May 16), police said.

Both victims were hospitalised for treatment.

News

Arrest warrant issued against Mahindananda

Published

10 hours ago

May 16, 2025

editor

An arrest warrant has been issued against former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over the ongoing investigation into the importation of Chinese fertilizer.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant on a request by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), after Aluthgamage failed to appear before the Commission as summoned on May 14.

Earlier, on May 14, a motion seeking anticipatory bail on behalf of his counsel was filed with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, requesting that the matter be taken up on May 16. The Magistrate ordered that the motion be heard on May 19.