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

G.L. hints at Impeachment against President

Published

3 hours ago

December 11, 2023

editor

MP of the Freedom People’s Congress – Prof. G.L. Peiris has warned of a possible impeachment motion against President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking at a media briefing today (Dec. 11) Prof. Peiris has said that an impeachment can be brought forth on the grounds of the constitution being violated by the President’s arbitrary interference in the affairs of the Constitutional Council.He also emphasized that the opposition will stand united against the President’s dictatorial rule.

Pointing out that 2024 is a year of elections with the Presidential election and General Election already announced, Prof. Peiris emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the Constitutional Council is allowed to function independently during elections.

He also said that there is a reasonable doubt that the vacancy at the Election Commission is not being filled with the objective of scrapping future elections.The MP also said that there is a possibility of Sri Lanka losing the GSP+ concession due to the violation of international conventions.

He further noted that the international community has already given Sri Lanka a red light due to the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and has notified that democracy should be secured during the election period.