News

EU funded project to remove invasive plant

Published

4 weeks ago

February 20, 2025

editor

An European Union funded project is helping remove an invasive plant species in Sri Lanka’s Knuckles and Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe Region.

The community-led environmental action will remove ulex (Alien invasive plant) in Horton Plains National Park on Feb 27.

Ulex europaeus, commonly known as gorse, is an alien invasive plant threatening the park’s biodiversity.

A statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives notes :

The “Strengthening Activism for Environmental Rights (SAFER)” project, funded by the European Union, is implemented by Acted in partnership with Green Movements of Sri Lanka (GMSL), Landsea Maldives (LSM), and the 3Zero House in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This project, which started in March 2023 and will run until August 2025, aims to strengthen local communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) to protect natural resources and promote environmental rights in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

As part of this project, the Environmental “Bio-Conservation Program” was launched to encourage community participation, support environmental action, and share lessons learned. The community-led environmental action to remove Ulex europaeus, commonly known as gorse, an alien invasive plant threatening the park’s biodiversity. Ulex is a thorny evergreen shrub native to Western Europe, which aggressively invades montane grasslands, outcompeting native flora and posing a significant fire hazard in Horton Plains National Park. Managing this invasive species is crucial to preserving the unique ecosystems and endemic species of the park. Continuous removal of the species from the field is one of the strategies to overcome the issue.

The event will take place on February 27, 2025, with the involvement of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat Office, the Green Movements Sri Lanka, Janathakshan, local activists, and the community in the areas. Approximately 120 participants, including community members and officials, will collaborate to clear 50,000 square meters of invasive plants in the National Park.

News

Boossa Prison jailor remanded over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2025

editor

A Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who had brought underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne also known as “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” to court on the day he was killed inside the Hulftsdorp court premises, has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

Subsequently, he has been ordered to be remanded until March 21, after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Presenting the suspect to the court, the Colombo Crimes Division officials have stated that the murdered suspect, “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had been brought to court by the arrested Jailer on the day of the assassination.

Police informed the court that investigations are underway to determine whether the crime was committed due to the Jailor’s dereliction of duty.

Police also pointed out to the court that investigations have revealed that the suspected prison officer had not taken any steps to arrest the individual who shot at “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” within the court premises and fled.

During the trial, police also requested permission to obtain a record of the suspect’s mobile phone calls for further investigations.

The court granted permission for the requests and ordered the suspect to be remanded until March 21.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)