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Golden Jackal population in SL on the decline

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Ongoing research have revealed of a significant decrease in golden jackal population in Sri Lanka over the past two- decades.

Uthpala Jayaweera, a researcher in Carnivore Ecology, revealed  that the study, overseen by Professor Sampath Seneviratne, a Zoology expert at the University of Colombo, and conducted in collaboration with Chandika Jayaratne, aimed to assess the present distribution and conservation situation of the Sri Lankan jackal species.

The research revealed that habitat degradation followed by erosion of food webs were the leading causes of the decline in jackal numbers. The study also highlighted that expanding road networks posed a major threat to the decreasing population of Jackals in the island.

Further the use of pesticides, road accidents as well as diseases such as canine distemper and rabies spread through unvaccinated dogs had contributed to the declining jackal numbers.

Ms Jayaweera pointed out that the Sri Lankan golden Jackal Canis aureus naria was one of the 13 sub-species of Golden jackal to be found in southern parts of India and Sri Lanka.

“Golden Jackals are more prominently found in the dry zone compared to the wet zone and their very rare in areas of high elevation. More numbers of Jackals are found inside the national park network in Sri Lanka such as Yala, Udawalawa, Wilpattu ,Kumana and Wasgamuwa National Parks,” she said.

Adding that the research team had carried out the first vocalization related study on Jackals.

The study which commenced last year revealed that the Golden Jackals are the most vocal carnivore in Sri Lanka.
With the species being synonymous for five vocal types such as bark, whine, and whimper, howl and group howl. It is said that Jackals use group howls for long distance communication.

Professor in Zoology at the University of Colombo, Sampath Seneviratne, said that Jackals are one of the top predators which contribute to keeping the balance of the ecosystem.

He elaborated that the carnivores such as jackals remove weak animals and reduce animals from contracting diseases and keep the ecosystem healthy.

Prof Seneviratne added that the Sri Lankan golden Jackal is one of the most vocal mammals in Sri Lanka and has many types of calls including deep howl which they use to communicate among a pack of two or a large pack of 13 to 15 jackals.

(sundaytimes.lk)

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Names of Mayors and Chairpersons of several LG bodies gazetted

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A gazette extraordinary has been issued containing the names of Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons, and Vice-Chairpersons of several local government institutions.

The names have been gazetted based on recommendations sent to the National Election by political parties and independents groups that secured a majority in local government bodies at the recently concluded Local Government (LG) election.    

Accordingly, the Election Commission has taken steps to publish the names from among the political parties and independent groups that secured a majority at the Local Government election held recently.

The names of the elected and nominated members for the respective local authorities, following the Local Government election were also published in the government gazette based on the respective administrative districts.

As per the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government on February 17, 2025, the term of office of local government bodies is scheduled to commence on June 2, 2025

පළාත් පාලන ආයතනවල සභාපතිවරුන්ගේ නම් ඇතුළත් ගැසට් පත්‍රය නිකුත් කෙරේ by poornima

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Weather Alert: Showers to ease in Southwest, strong winds forecast in North

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Prevailing showery condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to reduced gradually from today (01st)

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Aluthgamage and Fernando assigned printing work in prison

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, sentenced this week to jail for 20 and 25 years, respectively, have been assigned duties in the printing section at the Welikada prison, sources said.

Both of them are being held together away from the main section of the prison’s ‘chapel’ section, where prisoners serving life sentences and those convicted of murder and rape are held. The prison’s printing section prints its own documentation.

Prison sources said that in placing them in relevant wards to serve their jail term, the authorities had taken into consideration the security of the two convicts, as they might have had political enemies.

Mr Aluthgamage was handed a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment, while Mr Fernando was given a 25-year term of rigorous imprisonment by a High Court trial-at-bar after being found guilty of causing a Rs 53 million loss to the state.

They were accused of importing carrom boards and checkers boards through Sathosa during the 2015 presidential elections and distributing them to clubs.

Their lawyers said yesterday they were awaiting the certified copy of the judgement to prepare the appeal papers. The appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court.

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

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