In line with World Environment Day, a tree planting and conservation project was launched this morning (5) along the coastal stretch of Colombo’s Marine Drive, from the Kollupitiya Railway Station towards Wellawatte. The initiative is being implemented by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Office.

Marking the commencement of the project, 1,600 Takkada (Scaevola taccada) saplings were planted today, with plans to expand the number to 6,000 in the near future. The project is being carried out with participation from state institutions, private organisations and the general public.

The Takkada plant, which includes two species highly resistant to saline environments, is listed as a threatened species on the Red Data List. The Scaevola taccada species planted today typically grows as a shrub reaching heights of 5 to 6 feet. Its dense green foliage and compact height make it ideal for urban settings, enhancing cityscapes with both environmental and aesthetic value.

This initiative is being carried out with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Police (Environmental and Traffic Divisions), Sri Lanka Railways, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council. It is sponsored by LB Finance PLC and Hemsandu Marketing Company.

The event was attended by Colombo Municipal Councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) G.M.R.D. Appuhamy, along with representatives from the sponsoring organisations and other distinguished guests.

The Government of the Philippines has officially commenced the issuance of 5-year Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs) for Sri Lankans who are married to Filipino citizens, a statement issued by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila states.

The statement further notes : 

This development addresses one of the most pressing concerns of the Sri Lankan community residing in the Philippines. Previously, TRVs were issued only for two years and required frequent renewals. This process often led to lengthy retention of passports by authorities, causing significant inconveniences, particularly for individuals needing to travel for business and other urgent matters.

For several years, members of the Sri Lankan community have been advocating for an extension of the TRV validity period. In response to their concerns, Ambassador Chanaka Talpahewa, upon assuming office, assured the community of his commitment to resolving this issue during his tenure. In this regard, the Ambassador engaged in consistent and high-level diplomatic efforts with key stakeholders in the Philippines, including the Vice President, Foreign Secretary (Minister) and other Secretaries (Ministers), Under Secretaries (Deputy Ministers), relevant officials across various Departments (Ministries) and Government Institutions, decision makers and influencers.

Due to these sustained efforts, the Philippine government extended the TRV validity period from two years to five years, bringing immense relief to the affected Sri Lankan nationals.

This milestone stands as a testament to the strong and growing relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

The Colombo High Court today sentenced a mother to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after finding her guilty of attempting to sell her two-day-old infant for Rs. 75,000.

Delivering the verdict, High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe ruled that the prosecution had proven the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

The case revealed that the woman, along with her husband, had lured another woman to an illegal abortion center they operated, with the intention of selling the newborn after delivery.

The baby was ultimately sold to a female police sergeant from the National Child and Women’s Bureau, who was working undercover as part of a sting operation.

The woman was arrested at the scene by law enforcement officers.

In his ruling, the judge emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating that the act committed by the mother of three was deeply disturbing and shook the conscience of humanity. He further noted that such offenses could not be met with leniency.

“Every child deserves equal protection under the law,” the judge declared, stressing that the punishment must reflect the seriousness of the offense.

The court also ordered that the woman’s fingerprints be recorded as part of the sentencing procedure.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)