News

Petition against exporting monkeys to China to be heard on May 26

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2023

editor

The writ petition filed by animal rights organisations and animal rights activists challenging the proposed capture and exportation of 100,000 Toque Macaque monkeys to China was fixed for May 26 by the Court of Appeal.When the matter came up before the Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and M.A.R. Marikkar, the Attorney General sought a further date to present facts on behalf of the respondents.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appeared for the petitioners.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera had recently publicly announced that the Government is considering a request by the Chinese Government to export 100,000 Toque Macaque Monkeys, which are endemic to Sri Lanka, to China ostensibly for display at Chinese zoos.

Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, Rally for Animal Rights & Environment, Justice for Animals, Rescue Animals Sri Lanka, animal welfare advocate Otara Gunewardene, Ven. Matara Ananda Sagara Thero, Rukshan Amal Jayewardene, Sonali Fernando, Iromi Ahilya Salgado, Dumindra Rajitha Ratnayaka, Sharadha Manorama de Saram, Stefanie Wege – Aluwihare, Pushpadeva Dharmawardena, Randika Prabodha Fernando, Christine Bianca Shivanthi Perera, Tara Dilkushi Wickramanayake, Bandula Pathmasiri Panapitiya, Rushika Nadiya De Lanerolle, Jayamaha Mudalige Don Irangani, Wijenayake Pathiranage Wipulasena, Thanthirige Pasidu Nirosh, Vimukthi Buddika, Hiruni Maleesha Gunawardene, Iraki Lankika Kodithuwakku, Shanthi Wickramanayake, Chandani Perera, Shashi Udeni Perera, Umanga Hyacinth, Manoja Jayaswini Weerakkody and M.S. Chandrabosh filed this petition challenging the Minister’s decision to export 100,000 monkeys to China.

The petitioners stated that there are three recognized subspecies of the endemic toque macaque: the dry zone toque macaque (M.s. sinica), wet zone toque macaque (M.s. aurifrons) and highland toque macaque (M.s. opisthomelas) in Sri Lanka. The 1977 survey estimated there were 439,000 macaques in the dry zone, 150,000 in the lowland wet zone and 1,500 individuals of the montane subspecies.

The petitioners are seeking an order in the nature of Writ of Certiorari, quashing any decisions of the respondents from approving or permitting the exportation of Toque macaque monkeys of Sri Lanka to China.

The petitioners maintained that the Sri Lankan wildlife is protected under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) No. 02 of 1937 and under Section 40 of the FFPO, provides that no person shall export any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, coral or invertebrate whether dead or alive, except under the authority of a permit issued in the prescribed form obtained from the prescribed officer on payment of the prescribed fee.

The petitioners further said such permit shall not be issued except for the promotion of scientific knowledge including supplies to foreign museums, foreign zoological gardens in exchange for supplies to local museums or local zoological gardens.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Solar power tariffs revised

Published

3 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Cabinet has approved a revision of tariffs for newly contracted solar energy systems in Sri Lanka, effective from June 16, 2025.

According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Energy dated June 20, the updated rates are as follows:

Rs. 20.90 per unit for systems up to 5 kilowatts (kW)
Rs. 19.61 per unit for systems between 5 kW and 20 kW
Rs. 17.46 per unit for systems between 20 kW and 100 kW

These revised rates will apply to all applicants who pay the system clearance fees on or after June 16, 2025. The new tariffs will also be valid for extension requests submitted on or after that date.

(dailynews.lk)

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

News

Army denies social media claims fraudulent officer removals

Published

3 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

The Sri Lanka Army has dismissed recent social media claims suggesting a group of officers is being fraudulently removed using forged documents.

In a statement, the Army said the allegations are completely false stating that such assertions stem from a fundamental lack of understanding regarding military administrative protocols.

The allegations are aimed at damaging the institution’s reputation in the eyes of the public.

While confirming that no removals have taken place without proper procedures or the approval of the President, the statement asserts that the Army is committed to transparency while safeguarding national security.

Army_PR Download

News

A/L top achievers in North, felicitated (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

June 22, 2025

editor

Three hundred students from the Northern Province who excelled in all subject streams of the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will each receive a grant of Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund.

As part of a newly launched initiative to honour high-performing students at the district level for the 2023/2024 G.C.E. A/L Examination, the President’s Fund hosted an award ceremony this morning (22) at the Iranamadu Nelum Piyasa Auditorium in the Northern Province.

During the event, 300 students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, specifically 60 students per district, with the top 10 students from each subject stream, were recognised and presented with financial awards for their outstanding academic performance. The President’s Fund has allocated a total of Rs. 30 million for this initiative, which is expected to be extended to all districts in the future.

Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, addressed the gathering and noted that following the formation of the new government, the President’s Fund has been restructured and expanded under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He emphasised that the Fund now operates with increased transparency, correcting past irregularities to ensure benefits are directed to the truly deserving. Dr. Kumanayake also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitise the Fund and decentralise its services to improve accessibility and efficiency.

He further highlighted that education is the key to a successful life and urged the students to take full advantage of the support provided, pursue academic excellence, become responsible citizens and contribute positively to the country’s development.
Also addressing the event were Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

A vote of thanks was delivered by Abhishek, a student from Jaffna Hindu College, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President and the President’s Fund. He described the programme as a valuable opportunity for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.

In attendance at the ceremony were Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy and M. Jagadeeswaran, along with other public representatives. Also present were Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, senior officials from the Fund, government officers, heads of security forces, parents and students.

(President’s Media Division)