A new species of snake, endemic to Sri Lanka, has been discovered in the biologically rich Maragala mountain range near Monaragala. 

The species belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis, which is part of the colubridae family. With this discovery, the number of Dendrelaphis species found in Sri Lanka rises to eight—six of which are endemic.
The newly identified snake, named Dendrelaphis thasuni (locally referred to as Thasunge Haldanda), honors Dr. Thasun Amarasinghe, a leading expert in reptile and amphibian research, for his two decades of contribution to the field.

These snakes are diurnal by classification but have adapted to a completely nocturnal lifestyle. Their coloration closely matches the foliage of their habitat, and they are known for their remarkable speed and agility.

The discovery was made by a team of Sri Lankan and international researchers, including Anusha Attanagoda, Dr. Anselm de Silva, Dr. Gernot Vogel (Germany), Sitar Udayanga, Champika Bandara, Majintha Madawala, Dr. L. Lee Grismer (USA), and Suranjan Karunaratne.

The Maragala mountain range is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to an impressive range of endemic flora and fauna. Of the 67 reptile species identified in the area, 30 are endemic, as are five of the 18 recorded amphibian species. Eighteen species of reptiles and amphibians in the region are currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Researchers believe the region harbors many more undiscovered species, underscoring its ecological importance and the need for continued conservation efforts.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

Journalists and civil society members gathered in Jaffna on April 28 to mark 20 years since the assassination of renowned Tamil journalist and editor Dharmeratnam “Taraki” Sivaram.
The commemoration, jointly organised by the Jaffna Press Club, the Eastern Province Journalists Association, and the Professional Online Journalists Association, took place at the memorial for murdered journalists on Main Street, Jaffna.

Candles were lit and floral tributes were laid before portraits of Sivaram and fellow journalist Selvarajah Rajivarman, who was also murdered on the same date two years later.

Sivaram, a former senior editor at TamilNet, was abducted in Colombo on April 28, 2005 and was later found murdered near Parliament. Despite international condemnation and demands for accountability, his killers have never been brought to justice.

Ahead of the commemoration, a media briefing was also held at the Jaffna Press Club.

The Sri Lankan Attorney General’s Department has informed the Supreme Court that Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, convicted in the Royal Park murder case and later granted a Presidential pardon, is no longer in Singapore.

The information was revealed yesterday (29) during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed in connection with his release. 

Appearing for the Attorney General, senior State Counsel Sajith Bandara stated that although Sri Lankan authorities initially requested Singapore to extradite Jayamaha, Singaporean authorities have now confirmed he is not in their country.
He further said that a special investigation has been launched to trace Jayamaha’s current whereabouts. The Bench, comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasanta Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva, expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of progress in locating him nearly a year after the court order.

The court was also informed that efforts are underway to obtain an arrest warrant, although delays occurred due to issues retrieving the original case file. 

The petition will be taken up again on July 28, with the Attorney General’s Department ordered to report the progress.

The Supreme Court was informed that former President Maithripala Sirisena has fully paid the one million rupee compensation he was ordered to pay after the Presidential pardon was revoked.

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