News

Elephant Census to be commenced!

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2022

editor

An elephant census will be carried out in the country after 12 years since 2011, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

According to the last census, the elephant population in the country has exceeded 5,000.

Minister Amaraweera said the support of civil organizations, non-governmental organizations and environmentalists who are interested in this census will be sought since there are not enough wildlife officers to conduct the census.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that there is a great impact of elephants on Sri Lanka’s agricultural activities.

Therefore, he said the findings of this census will be vital in revealing the population of wild elephants in the country as well as in implementing the programme taken to prevent conflicts between wild elephants and humans.

News

Helicopter crash during SLAF training session

Published

30 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09).

It crashed during a training session at the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base.

Further reports indicate that the helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

36 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

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 Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.