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SRI LANKA NEWS (FEBRUARY 2025) Compiled by Victor Melder More than 200 cases of child suicide were reported in 2024, according to the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL), which links the rise to the impact of social media. CCPSL Chairperson, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, highlighted that in 2022, 133 children, under the age of 18, died by suicide, and unofficial data suggests this figure increased to 270 in 2023. “There are multiple reasons behind these incidents. One possible intervention could be restricting social media use in some form. We have gathered information on potential actions and plan to release more details within the next week or two,” Dr. Jayaratne said. He added that while social media brings both benefits and risks, the CCPSL is currently working on recommendations to help better regulate its usage among children and reduce its harmful effects. (Daily Island, 1.2.2025) Environmentalists ...

Feb 28, 2025 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Victor Melder Tagged Dr. Dhammika Patabandi, International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society, SRI LANKA NEWS, Wildlife Department

Crocs in the East in Troubled Waters-by sulochana ramiah mohan Source:Ceylontoday At least 13 freshwater and saltwater crocodile carcasses have been found in the Eastern Province over the past month. The reptiles are suspected to have been poisoned. This was attributed to the local community habitually disposing of animal carcasses and garbage in the area, which serves as a well-known breeding ground for crocodiles, attracting some 35 crocodiles to the spot. There is an outpouring of anger over the killing of crocodiles, which are crucial to the ecosystem. This issue warrants urgent attention, as both the crocodiles and the people in the area of Mavatipalli Bridge, under Karaitivu Police Division, Ampara District, Eastern Province, are affected. Villagers have been ruthlessly poisoning and using ‘vengayavedi’ (a type of firecracker shaped like a ball) to kill these reptiles, as confirmed by regional journalists and wildlife experts. The area had been ...

Jul 29, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Crocs in the East in Troubled Waters, Wildlife Department

Three new Wetlands to be declared under Ramsar Convention this year – Minister Pavithra Source:Dailynews Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the Wildlife Department has planned to declare three new wetlands in Sri Lanka as wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. The minister mentioned this while speaking to the media on the occasion of “World Wetlands Day” that fell on February 2. The Wildlife Department has planned to designate the Viduthalaithivu Nature Reserve in Mannar district, Adam’s Bridge National Park and the Chundikulam National Park in Jaffna district as new wetland zones in 2024. The minister further said that steps have also been taken to expand the Wankalai Sanctuary up to the Wedithalativu Nature Reserve. ...

Feb 10, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Bundala National Park, Director Manjula Amararatne, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Wildlife Department

Twenty one leopards died in snares from 2020-by Buddhika Imbulana Source:Dailynews Twenty-one Sri Lankan leopards have died due to the snares so far this year since 2020, the Wildlife Ministry said. Of them, nine have died in 2020, eight in 2021 and four have died so far this year in upcountry areas. According to Ministry records, Wildlife Officers have been able to rescue another 11 leopards which were found trapped in snares within the same period. ...

Sep 10, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Sri Lankan leopards, Wildlife Department, Wildlife Ministry

Leopard falls into house, rescued after 16 hrs (Video) PIC : Neth News Source : newswire.lk A leopard has accidentally fallen into a house breaking through the roof in the Logi Estate Division in Lindula. According to the owner of the house, the incident had occurred at around 10.30 last night. The man said he had heard a loud noise in the kitchen area and had immediately taken his sleeping wife and children out of the house. He further said while inspecting the cause of the noise, the leopard had attempted to attack him, but he had escaped unhurt. The family had then closed all the windows and doors trapping the animal inside the house. He had thereafter informed officials from the Wildlife Department who had safely captured the animal and taken it into their custody. It is assumed the animal may have accidentally fallen into the house while hunting for ...

Aug 8, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged leopard, Logi Estate Division, Wildlife Department

Save our Elephants By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne Source:Island The killing and dismembering of the tusker in Block 3 of Yala National Park recently brought tears to the eyes of elephant lovers. This poor animal stayed within the boundaries, marked by us to say “you are safe here”, and was still killed with a single shot to the head by inhuman poachers operating within the National Park. Further his small tusks were removed using a chainsaw. The tail was also removed because its hair is in high demand. Why is this happening? Why can we not catch these culprits? We should do our best to stop these inhuman activities. Sri Lanka Army’s elite units can help the Wildlife Department in this effort. As a local saying goes, you never get fed with watching ‘Bali and Ali’. ‘Bali’ is a traditional dance form and ‘Ali’ are elephants. An elephant herd ...

Sep 4, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Save our Elephants, Sri Lanka Army, Wildlife Department, Yala National Park

Over 200 acres of forest in Ampara destroyed Radalla and Kumbukkan forest reserves near Pottuvil and Lahugala at high risk-by Prageeth Sampath Karunathilaka Source:Dailymirror After the court order, those who were clearing forests discreetly began to use dozers and engage in large-scale deforestation Evidence points to an officer of the Security and Law Division of the Forest Department being complicit in the destruction of the Radalla forest reserve While the country focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of large-scale deforestation are emerging from Pottuvil in the Ampara district. Deforestation has been continuing in the area since 2000 and the Department of Forest Conservation has been unable to stop it due to interference from politicians and officials. Furthermore, all Governments have turned a blind eye to the issue for political gains. Local residents have continued to clear forests for cultivation and settle on protected lands. The Radalla forest reserve, brought under ...

Nov 14, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Agriculture Department, Covid 19, Forest Department, Radalla forest, Ven. Udalamatte Rathanapriya Thera, Wildlife Department

“PARKS & GARDENS” – By Des Kelly There are many, around the World, but to have “YALA” ranked as the sixth best, in the World, is “something else”, again. How proud this little Country of Sri Lanka should be. A tiny little “dot” in the Indian Ocean, and yet, some of the most picturesque, verdant, Parks & Gardens, among other beautiful “scenic wonders” too many to mention. This is one of the main reasons why tourists, including my own family, wish to go there, on holiday. To go “on safari” at Yala, has always been on their agenda, and who can blame them ?. The park, with it’s natural settings for wild-life that is both abundant and ideal for both the large and small, HAS to be visited in order to make it the perfect holiday. This, then, is the story of YALA, the ...

Sep 11, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, DESMOND KELLY Tagged Ranjan Marasinghe, S. Hettiarachchi, Wildlife Department, Yala National Park