Ella Rock Forest reserve fire destroys 600 acres

Published

1 month ago

February 16, 2025

editor

The fire engulfing the Ella Rock forest reserve continued yesterday with more than 600 acres of a total extent of 4,447 acres, destroyed so far.

The fire had spread towards the Rawana falls on Friday night.

Winds and steep inclines are hampering efforts by the army, Forest Conservation and the fire services of the Bandarawela Municipal council.

Trees, reptiles and small animals have been destroyed in the fire. Monkeys were also severely affected.

Police warned that boulders could fall onto the main road.

Air Force helicopters were not called in to assist, unlike in previous years.

Prof Ruwan Ranasinghe, deputy minister of tourism, told the media that using helicopters has not been effective in controlling such fires in addition to the high cost involved.

He said NPP members in each of the divisions will be reined in to prevent such fires in future.

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

SLTB drivers return to original roles

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to reassign drivers and conductors who were previously engaged in various other duties.

This decision comes into effect today as announced by Deputy Minister of Transport, Prasanna Kumara Gunasena.

Deputy Minister Gunasena revealed that political interference had led to the assignment of drivers and conductors to various non-related duties.

An investigation uncovered that 333 drivers were affected by these political appointments.

To ensure the fitness and readiness of these drivers for their original roles, they will undergo medical examinations at the National Transport Medical Institute.

Based on the results of these examinations, the drivers will be reassigned to their driving duties.

(News1st)

Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere bids adieu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

Professor Gananath Obeyesekere, a distinguished academic and former Head of Anthropology at Princeton University, has passed away at the age of 95.

He earned his BA in English from the University of Peradeniya in 1955, followed by an MA in 1958 and a PhD in 1964 from the University of Washington.

Prior to his tenure at Princeton University from 1980 to 2000, Prof. Obeyesekere held prestigious academic positions in Sri Lanka, the University of Washington, and the University of California, San Diego.

Among his popular books are Land Tenure in Village Ceylon, Medusa’s Hair, The Cult of the Goddess Pattini, Buddhism Transformed (coauthor), The Work of Culture, The Apotheosis of Captain Cook: European Mythmaking in the Pacific, and Making Karma.

News

NPP MPs submit letter to remove Deshabandu

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2025

editor

National People’s Power (NPP) MPs have signed a letter to remove suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.

A total of 115 MPs endorsed the letter, which was submitted to the Speaker this afternoon (March 25).

Tennakoon is currently in remand custody in connection with a 2023 shooting incident that took place outside the W15 hotel in Weligama, which resulted in the death of an officer from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

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