Connect with us

News

No action taken against suspects of Yala incident: Environmentalists

Published

on

Environmentalists have alleged that no legal action has been taken against the people who are accused of causing distress to the animals at the Yala National Park by entering zone number two on October 22 in 35 jeeps.

It was reported that Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s son Pasan is also among the accused.

Meanwhile, Manoj Vidyaratne, the caretaker of Yala National Park, said five vehicles entered zone number two in the morning along with three trackers.

“Another 35 jeeps arrived in the evening and they were given separate permits. We do not have 35 guides for 35 vehicles. Therefore, five vehicles were given to one guide. The people who came in these jeeps have taken other routes inside the park. Seven people from among the visitors have evaded the guides and have gone on their own way and driven vehicles in a way that harasses the animals.”

“It was the off-road team called “Iron Man” that came to Yala. They are residents of different parts of the country. We cannot turn down any park visitors. However, the issue is that the people went inside and caused destruction. Warrants will be issued to the owners of the seven vehicles through the Department of Motor Traffic,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, “Iron Man” organization’s owner Sam Chandrasoma said that he was also in the Yala National Park on the day of this incident but neither he nor his organization had anything to do with it.

He said that the company’s stickers are requested for the vehicles that have obtained services from his company, and that he cannot make a definite statement whether there were vehicles with those stickers inside the park.

Meanwhile, internal sources of the Wildlife Conservation Department told ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ that a powerful Cabinet Minister has informed the Director General of Wildlife Conservation to allow these jeeps to enter the National Park. The people who arrived in these jeeps have behaved in a way that causes distress to the animals.

It was reported that the authorities of the Wildlife Conservation Department had also learnt about this incident through social media a day after the incident.

It has been revealed that a group of members of the Wellawaya Motor Vehicle Association and the Nikaweratiya Poultry Farm Owners Association were among the perpetrators.

Wildlife Conservation Director General Chandana Suriyabandara said, “A group has gone inside the park and caused destruction. I informed the officials to file a case. These vehicles have been formally entered into the park but the issue is about their behavior inside the park. They have not entered the park by force.”

Mr. Nayanaka Ranwella, an environmentalist commenting on the incident, said that these perpetrators can be imprisoned for 7 years and imposed a fine of Rs.200,000 each.

News

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meets Pope Leo XIV (Pics)

Published

on

By

The Archbishop of Colombo – Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has met the newly appointed Pope Robert Prevost.

The Archdiocese of Colombo shared pictures on social media of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Pope Robert Prevost engaging in cordial discussions.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith met with the new Pope following his participation in the Papal Conclave in the Vatican City to elect a new Pope.

(Pics :  FB page of News – Archdiocese of Colombo)

Continue Reading

News

High blood pressure causes 70% of deaths in SL – MOH

Published

on

By

Around 70% of all deaths in Sri Lanka are linked to complications from high blood pressure, according to the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Unit at the Ministry of Health.

Consultant Dr. Samindhi Samarakoon from the NCD Unit stated that a 2021 national survey found 34.8% of Sri Lanka’s population suffers from high blood pressure.

Alarmingly, 64% of those diagnosed are not on any form of medication, she added.

“Most of the time, there are no early symptoms. Often, the first sign is a stroke. Sometimes, it appears as a heart attack. Hypertension is also a leading cause of kidney diseases,” Dr. Samarakoon explained.

We do a survey every five years on Non-Communicable Disease. According to the 2021 survey data, around 70% of deaths in the country are caused by conditions related to high blood pressure, only 18% of people with hypertension were aware of their condition, with 54.7% of diagnosed cases being newly identified. Alarmingly, just 14% of those diagnosed had their blood pressure under control, highlighting a very serious situation.

Dr. Samarakoon emphasized the importance of prevention and early detection, noting that while ‘Suwadivi’ clinics are available in addition to hospitals, patient turnout remains very low; she stressed the need for annual blood pressure checks, highlighted the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol – particularly among men – and underscored the importance of regular physical activity.

Continue Reading

News

Private security officers arrested over theft at Swiss Ambassador’s residence

Published

on

By

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) – The Kollupitiya Police have arrested three individuals, including the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of a private security firm and another security officer, in connection with a theft at the official residence of the Swiss Ambassador in Colombo, where gold jewellery, including a diamond-studded ring and luxury wristwatches worth approximately Rs. 4.5 million were stolen from a safe.

According to police, the investigation was launched following a complaint lodged by the Swiss Ambassador, who had left for Switzerland on April 12 and returned on April 27.

Investigations revealed that after the Ambassador’s departure, the suspects gained access to her safe using a key that had been illegally duplicated. The jewellery and watches were subsequently stolen.

Following interrogations, police also arrested a locksmith who had allegedly made the duplicate key used in the theft.

Police have recovered several rings, believed to be part of the stolen items, from the one of the suspect security officers in Weligama.

At the time of the theft, two female domestic workers and a cook were present at the residence. They were questioned and later released after being cleared of any involvement.

The three suspects were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court and have been remanded until May 22.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved