News

Team from Colombo to probe Gal Ara forest destruction!

Published

1 year ago

November 28, 2022

editor

A group of officers have left Colombo today (28) to investigate the incident of cutting down trees at the Gal Ara buffer zone of Yala National Park.

It was reported that 200 to 300 years old Palu and Weera trees in that area have been cut down and a 40-feet wide road has been marked around an area of about 40 acres.

The residents alleged that this destruction was carried out for 5 days by a timber businessman in Debarawewa.

It is said that out of these 40 acres, 30 acres will be given to this businessman and the remaining 10 acres will be given to several forest conservation officers of Lunugamwehera.

Commenting on the incident, Lunugamwehera Site Officer Kumudu Rohana told the media that such an incident has not been reported to him.

In this forest, trees such as Dimbul, Palu and Weera can be seen in abundance and environmentalists pointed out that the destruction of these trees cannot prevent the invasion of wild elephants.

Environmentalist Prince Surendra Dahanayake revealed to the media that small tanks have been constructed in this area to provide water for wild animals during the dry season, and the water for those small tanks is obtained from Gal Ara. He said this large-scale land smuggling is carried out by obstructing all these water streams.

Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary Chandima Manamperi said that since there are frequent reports of clearing forest conservation lands, she has instructed the Lunugamwehera forest conservation officers to take appropriate action.

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

11 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.

News

Tiran makes revelation on Maithripala’s statement

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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During the inquiry over former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent statement that he was aware of the real culprits behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, he has not mentioned the names of anyone in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

The lawmaker made this remark while speaking during today’s parliamentary session.

News

High Posts committee approves 4 appointments

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Committee on High Posts approves appointments of a new ambassador, a secretary to a ministry, and 02 chairpersons of institutions

The Committee on High Posts which met recently in Parliament has given its approval for the appointments of a new ambassador, a ministry secretary and two institution chairpersons.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Mr. S.A Rodrigo as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Italian Republic.

In addition to that, the appointment of Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel as the new secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointments of Mr. W.A.D.S Gunasinghe as the new chairman of the Regional Development Bank and Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen participated in the Committee on High Posts which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.