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Painting with colours hidden in nature
The SHILPA 2012 – National Handicrafts Exhibition that was held at the end of 2012 had many interesting exhibits on display but this artist’s work merited closer attention from visitors due to its...
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Realising a mission and passion together
Two wildlife enthusiasts �Dr. Janaka Gallangoda and Nadika Hapuarachchi present ‘Life: A Journey into the Wilds of Sri Lanka’, a coffee table book and exhibition� By Malaka Rodrigo When wildlife lovers...
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Feeding wild elephants make Yala’s iconic tusker a nuisance
Yala’s iconic tusker Gemunu has developed bad habits after being encouraged by visitors who tempt the animal with food and other tidbits. Gemunu comes to the road, stops Safari Jeeps and dips his trunk...
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Environmentalists not in favour of breeding rare fish for export
Environment watchers are angered by plans to legalise the breeding of rare fish and the cultivation of rare water plants for export. They say the Ministry of Economic Development, the Department of...
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People power saves Dambadeniya era ‘Geta Kumbuk’ from the electric saw
The New Year started with some good news for envirionment lovers, when an ancient Geta Kumbuk tree was saved from the electric saw in Paramulla-Alawwa.�The historic tree that was earmarked to be cut...
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Endemic freshwater crabs under threat, need protection: Experts
Not only elephants and leopards, but lesser known species such as freshwater crabs, that are jewels of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, need to be protected, say experts. On January 14, Customs at Katunayake...
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Mercury to be phased out with health warnings
The heavy metal that carries heavy health risks is under close scrutiny, writes Malaka Rodrigo� Mercury is also found in household equipment and instruments, including thermometers and energy saving...
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Abductions go to the wilds
Environmental Conservation Trust (ECT) alleges that 22 baby elephants have been abducted from wild during past few years. Sajeewa Chamikara of ECT shares the following list. …I’m...
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Pigeon Island national park status in the balance
Pigeon Island is one of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka with some of the best remaining coral reefs of the country, is under threat with moves to strip its National Park status citing it as...
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Confiscated tortoises were ‘pets’, says Chinese restaurant owner
The 14 tortoises seized during a Police raid on a Chinese restaurant in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo, have been handed over to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens until the investigation is completed. The raid...
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Wilpattu named as Ramsar Wetland
Today – the 2nd of February is World World Wetland Day. Good news is that Wilpattu named as Sri Lanka’s 6th Ramsar Wetland. Here is a little writeup published on Web Version of SundayTimes...
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Kalpitiya killer
The banned ‘laila’ net is steadily killing off the dolphins, writes Malaka Rodrigo� Illegal fishing practices used in the seas off Kalpitiya have resulted in the death of more than 40 dolphins,...
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Hakka pataas set to become Elephant Killer No. 1
The improvised explosive device put out to kill wild boar killed 35 jumbos last year, reports Malaka Rodrigo� A six-month baby elephant is the latest victim of a “hakka patas” – an explosive device...
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Wilpattu certified as a wetland of world importance
The Wilpattu game reserve was recently named Sri Lanka’s sixth Ramsar Wetland, a name give to ecologically significant wetlands around the world. The Ramsar Convention, to which Sri Lanka is a...
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Sri Lanka could be home to more new snake species
Today, February 10, marks the dawning of the Chinese New Year, and this year is the Year of the Snake. While billions of Chinese will be thinking about the Snake and its zodiacal impact on their lives...
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Blood ivory is not for showcasing
Conservationists and Buddhist monks are against the release of confiscated elephant tusks or their display in temples, writes Malaka Rodrigo Releasing a cargo of confiscated ivory would only create a...
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Uma Oya project: Register your objections, urge environmentalists
(Published in SundayTimes on 17.02.2013) Environmentalists have voiced concern over public apathy regarding the supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment of the second phase of the Uma Oya...
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Opposition questions fate of contraband ivory
The haul of African Elephant tusks seized by Sri Lanka customs last year are still locked inside the customs stores securely, assured the Leader of the House minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. He made...
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Farewell Comrade Sheba
The tracker dog that traced criminals in over 100 cases solving many recent crimes died recently – by Malaka Rodrigo Kotakethana in Kahawatte could probably be considered the most mysterious crime...
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Biopiracy on the rise
The country’s rich biodiversity attracting a new kind of overseas visitor, writes Malaka Rodrigo� In the space of a week, two attempts by overseas visitors to smuggle out local flora and fauna were...
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