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Why are dead turtles piling up on Colombo beaches?

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Many turtle carcasses have been washed ashore along the coastline in Colombo for about two days, environmentalists said.

On the 22nd, nearly 10 turtle bodies were found from the coast spanning from Wellawatte to the Galle Face Green while a large number of turtle bodies were seen piled up on the beaches of Pamunugama, Uswetakeiyawa and Mt.Lavinia yesterday (23).

The eyes of some of these turtle corpses were swollen, some were bleeding, while some dead fish were also seen piled up on the beach.

The Navy has informed the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) in this regard. They have together launched an investigation along with the Police.

Accordingly, the Wildlife Conservation Department filed a motion in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and presented four turtle carcasses piled up on the shore of the Galle Face Green in the court. 

Subsequently, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the Bellanwila Veterinary Officer to carry out post-mortem examinations of these turtles and to handover a report regarding the cause of death to the court.

Why do turtles’ shells burst and die?

Although the exact reason for the unusual death of the turtles has not yet been revealed, Environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella said that an explosion caused by human activity in the deep sea may be the reason for the unusual death of the turtles.

He also suspects that a destructive fishing method like ‘Laila’ or any leakage from the X-Press Pearl vessel could also be the reason for this.

Meanwhile, Colombo Range Forest Officer Saman Liyangama said that there are several ways in which turtles’ shells can burst.

Mr. Liyangama pointed out that a dynamite-like explosion can cause damages to the lungs due to a rapid pressure condition.

He said that after a few days of death, the shells can still burst.

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Heavy rains expected in some areas today

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Showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (June 18), the Department of Meteorology said.

Several spells of showers will occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers can be expected at a few places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in the 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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SL embassy in Tehran, relocated – Vijitha

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Tehran, Iran has been relocated amid the prevailing situation, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told the Parliament today (June 17).

Embassy officials have also been moved due to the situation. In addition to embassy staff, eight Sri Lankan students who had been at the Embassy in Tehran have also been relocated to the northern part of Iran due to security concerns. 

However, all contact numbers remain operational, the minister added.

Herath said that approximately 35 Sri Lankans remain in Iran, with those residing in Tehran currently facing heightened risks. He also pointed out that nearly 20,000 Sri Lankans are presently in Israel.

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No risk of a fuel shortage – Nalinda

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Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has assured that there is no risk of an impending fuel shortage in the country due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

Speaking during the Cabinet briefing earlier today (June 17), he assured that Sri Lanka currently has adequate fuel reserves to meet national demand for at least two and a half months and and that necessary arrangements have been made to procure upcoming fuel shipments without any issues.

He urged the public not to be misled by such claims on social media.

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