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Face-to-Face in Sri Lanka: Elephants & Humans-by Zinara Rathnayake In an Item in the New Lines Magazine that is reprinted in The Island, 23 March 2025 Source:Thuppahis In Makulpotha village, 89 miles northwest of Colombo, Punchibanda woke up to the trumpet of an elephant while he was sleeping in a small wooden hut built on a tree beside his vegetable farm. Fearing that the elephant could destroy his harvest of pumpkins, melons and eggplants, Punchibanda rushed to chase it away. But he could not guard his produce, and instead lost his life. The large bull elephant charged toward the 62-year-old, who fainted out of fear; the animal crushed him to death. Over a year later, villagers still live in fear as they struggle to protect their crops from wild elephants. Historically, elephants and humans lived in harmony in Sri Lanka. When the farmers were done harvesting their fields, they would allow elephants to ...

Mar 24, 2025 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , ,
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In Search of Lost Habitat-by Gagani Weerakoon Source:Ceylontoday A group of Adivasi (indigenous) community leaders led by Dambana Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannila Athho came to Parliament last week to present a set of grievances to the newly elected NPP government. They explained that the Adivasi population across the island currently face various systemic challenges. Adivasi communities find themselves in undeserved situations due to the prolonged failure of successive governments to transform political promises into substantive actions. While many pledges have been made regarding the socio-economic, cultural, and political rights of these communities, these promises have largely remained unfulfilled, lacking both the formal policy framework and legal enforcement necessary to address their needs. “No leader has ever addressed the concerns of the Adivasi people in Sri Lanka, they don’t even remember us until an Election is around. They have no plans to protect the Adivasi community, yet there are numerous regulations ...

Jan 27, 2025 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , ,
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A spotted affair: Has Sri Lanka over-promoted the iconic Sri Lankan leopard?-by Srilal Miththapala The Sri Lankan leopard – ‘panther pardus kotiya’ – Pic by Srilal Miththapala  Source:FT Of all the charismatic animals seen in Sri Lanka, there is none that has created so much interest and popularity, than the Sri Lankan leopard. And today it has become arguably one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the country. But is the leopard’s own popularity leading to its own destruction? 1 August is Sri Lanka Leopard Day, a day proposed by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka in 2020 to celebrate our very own leopard sub species. So this maybe an overtime moment to reflect on the problems that the Sri Lanka leopard is facing today. Introduction  The Sri Lankan leopard is a distinct subspecies – ‘panthera pardus kotiya’ (after Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala 1966). It is the ...

Aug 5, 2024 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , ,
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The hidden and forgotten world of Kumana – by Mahil Wijesinghe Source: Sunday Observer Reminiscences of a journey to Bambaragasthalawa, where a 9th century Buddha statue was destroyed by human vultures Digital cameras have made my job easier – no more carrying lots of photographic equipment and hundreds of delicate rolls of films to remote locations. Now, hundreds of frames can be recorded to just one digital device and saved in my computer. The Covid-19 curfew enabled me to spend time in my home managing and sorting out folders of unpublished images of my past journeys. ...

Jul 26, 2020 Posted by In Articles Tagged , ,
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