Sri Lanka is at war with one of its most revered animals, after 470 elephants were killed last year. With half of these deaths at the hands of humans, rural.
by Ifham Nizam
Wildlife Conservation Department and Forest Department officers are up in arms over a circular which prevents them from filing legal action against government institutions which permit deforestation and other illegal acts in violation of the Fauna and Flora Ordinance.
“This is tantamount to turning a blind eye when the country’s forests are being destroyed”, a Wildlife Department officer said, referring to the directive by the Secretary to the State Ministry of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures, Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development.
“We are being discouraged from instituting legal action against culprits just because they are government institutions”, he said.
By Chitra Weerarathne President’s Counsel, Sanjeewa Jayawardena yesterday explained to the Court of Appeal that his client, His Eminence Malcom Cardinal Ranjith was of the opinion that there were 6,000 imported swords and daggers circulating in the country. Out of that number, 600 had been purchased by Mohammad Saththar, who had given them to Mohammad […]
Since the reopening of the airports on January 21 more than 3,800 tourists had arrived in the country, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said. Most of them had arrived from Ukraine (1,374.) followed by 526 from Kazakstan and 443 from India, he said.
Ranatunga said that five airlines had also agreed to commence direct flights with Sri Lanka. They are Fly Dubai, SalamAir, Jazeera Air, Gulf Air and Air Arabia.
“Three of these companies, Fly Dubai, SalamAir and Air Arabia, have commenced operations to Sri Lanka already. We will start direct flights through other companies as well. These flights will take place through BIA and Mattala,” he said.