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Thoppigala bulldozered! 

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Environmentalists and representatives of local farmers’ organizations claim a group of 30 persons are using bulldozers to flatten the forest cover and areas of archeological value in the reserves of Thoppigala,Uthuchenai and Vadamunai.

‘Lankadeepa’ reports that around 1,500-acre area in these three reserves has been destroyed by them.

Noting that the group has been clearing the land day and night under the guise of starting paddy farms, the group has also been making firearms to kill animals for a wild meat racket, while felling many huge, valuable trees.

Residents have stated that wild animals including elephants have started to enter villages as a result of this.

They also say that many areas of archeological value have also been destroyed.

Noting that these racketeers are under the protection of certain politicians representing the districts of Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa, residents have also alleged that their complaints and pleas to the Forest Department, Divisional Secretariats have fallen on deaf ears. 

Speaking to ‘Lankadeepa’, Residential Business Manager of Mahaweli B Zone – Mr. Sugath Weerasinghe has said that these lands did not fall under the Mahaweli areas but are under the purview of the Welikanda and Kiran Divisional Secretariats.

He has added that measures will be taken to look into the matter.

However, Welikanda Divisional Secretary – Ms. H. Nisha has said that the lands being destroyed did not fall under her secretariat.

(Lankadeepa)

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Heavy rains expected today

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Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (June 23).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Yupun records season’s best timing in Germany

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Italy-based Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon recorded an impressive return to form by clocking a season-best 10.18 seconds to win the final ‘B’ of the 100m at the 2025 International Athletic Meet (Continental Tour Bronze Event) in Dessau, Germany on Saturday.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympian, who boasts a personal best of 9.96 seconds, has been gradually regaining his rhythm after struggling with injuries last year.

Abeykoon, the South Asian record holder in the 100m, continues to lead the regional rankings as the fastest athlete in South Asia this year, while also being joint 16th on the Asian list for 2025.

At 30 years old, Abeykoon now sets his sights on qualifying for the World Championships in Tokyo next September, where the direct entry standard stands at 10.00 seconds. (D.R)

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Solar power tariffs revised

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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)

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