Two elephants rescued from well in Hambantota
A female elephant and her calf who had fallen into an agricultural well in Bathalayagama, Hambantota have been rescued by officers from the Hambantota Wildlife Range Office.
After being informed of the two trapped elephants he officers used a backhoe to dig a path for the elephants to get out of the well. The operation took over an hour.
Wildlife officers believe that the two elephants had remained trapped inside the well for about two days.
They also said that the trunk of the baby elephant exhibited signs of injury. It is suspected that the elephant had been injured after getting caught in barbed wire in a trap set by hunters.
Story and Pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi
Source – 18/05/2017,Times Online, see more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1022142/two-elephants-rescued-from-well-in-hambantota
Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism
Biodiversity Sri Lanka will commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity which falls on 22nd May each year, with an evening session on the UN designated theme for 2017: ‘BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM’. This session will feature four relevant and illustrative case studies from Sri Lanka and the Asia region presented by Ms Maeve Nightingale of IUCN, Asia, environment and wildlife expert, Dr Sumith Pilapitiya, Mr Madhura de Silva, President, Wildlife Conservation Society, Galle and Mr Ross Sanders, General Manager, Anantara Peace Haven, Tangalle, covering areas such as the significance of the coast around us and carrying capacity and biodiversity issues in our national protected areas. The event will be held on the 22nd of May from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Hatton National Bank, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, No. 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10, and is open to the general public.
Biodiversity, at the level of species and ecosystems, provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation. A well-managed tourist sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue. Although Sri Lanka is a small island, its biodiversity is significantly important both in a regional and global scale. The island has been declared as one of the 25 “biodiversity hotspots” of the world. Sri Lanka’s tourism is the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner and contributes a substantial percentage towards the GDP. In post-war Sri Lanka, tourist arrivals have seen a remarkable increase and there is a significant increase in investments in tourism as well as, infrastructure development through opening up of new tourist attractions.
The theme for this year is primarily about ensuring greater control and management to reduce damage to biodiversity from tourism and pursuing the positive contribution of tourism to biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitat restoration, community engagement, and resource mobilization. This theme therefore provides an opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) is an entirely private sector owned and driven not- for-profit platform established to promote strong engagement of the corporate sector in Biodiversity and environmental conservation issues in Sri Lanka. BSL actively promotes strong leadership of the private sector in these areas through active learning, providing technical support, sharing information, knowledge and experience, promoting best practices and dialogue with state and civil society partners. Currently, over 65 leading corporates are members of the Platform.
Source – 18/05/2017,Adaderana Biz, see more at – http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/biodiversity-and-sustainable-tourism/
New waste disposal project to be implemented in 7 districts
Novel garbage disposal projects will be implemented in 7 districts, Central Environmental Authority announced.
Deputy Director-General of the Central Environmental Authority, Upali Indarathne stated that by 2020, the projects would be completed in 4 districts.
Upali Indarathne added that in future, a proper method to dispose of waste would be introduced to all the districts across the island in order to combat the rising problem of garbage disposal.
Source – 16/05/2017,Ada Derana, See more at – http://www.adaderana.lk/news/40717/new-waste-disposal-project-to-be-implemented-in-7-districts
Special Committee to look into issues of IDPs and resettled in Mannar district
May 17, Colombo: A special discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday under the patronage of Secretary to the President Mr. P. B. Abeykoon to look into the issues of the internally displaced persons and the resettled IDPs in the Mannar district.
A group of Muslim representatives and the officials of the Department of Forest Conservation including Secretary to the Ministry of Environment participated in the meeting.
The issues faced by the people in the area, and ways to resolve their issues were discussed in detail at the meeting.
A special gazette notification signed by President Maithripala Sirisena in March on declaring four forests near Wilpattu North Sanctuary as conservation forests has caused serious concern among Muslims and seen as an attempt to prevent Muslims from returning to their lands.
During the meeting it was decided to appoint a Special Committee under the guidance of the President to resolve the issues and decided that the Committee report should be submitted to the President within a month.
Source – 17/05/2017, ColomboPage, See more at – http://www.colombopage.com/archive_17A/May17_1494995140CH.php
Biodiversity Sri Lanka To Commemorate International Day Of Biological Diversity
Biodiversity Sri Lanka will commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity which falls on 22nd May each year, with an evening session on the UN designated theme for 2017: ‘Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’.
This session will feature four relevant and illustrative case studies from Sri Lanka and the Asia region presented by Maeve Nightingale of IUCN, Asia, environment and wildlife expert, Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Madhura de Silva, President, Wildlife Conservation Society, Galle and Ross Sanders, General Manager, Anantara Peace Haven, Tangalle, covering areas such as the significance of the coast around us and carrying capacity and biodiversity issues in our national protected areas.
The event will be held on the 22nd of May from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Hatton National Bank, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, No. 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10, and is open to the general public.
Biodiversity, at the level of species and ecosystems, provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism. Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation. A well-managed tourist sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue. Although Sri Lanka is a small island, its biodiversity is significantly important both in a regional and global scale. The island has been declared as one of the 25 “biodiversity hotspots” of the world. Sri Lanka’s tourism is the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner and contributes a substantial percentage towards the GDP. In post-war Sri Lanka, tourist arrivals have seen a remarkable increase and there is a significant increase in investments in tourism as well as, infrastructure development through opening up of new tourist attractions.
The theme for this year is primarily about ensuring greater control and management to reduce damage to biodiversity from tourism and pursuing the positive contribution of tourism to biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitat restoration, community engagement, and resource mobilisation. This theme therefore provides an opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) is an entirely private sector owned and driven not- for-profit platform established to promote strong engagement of the corporate sector in Biodiversity and environmental conservation issues in Sri Lanka. BSL actively promotes strong leadership of the private sector in these areas through active learning, providing technical support, sharing information, knowledge and experience, promoting best practices and dialogue with state and civil society partners. Currently, over 65 leading corporates are members of the Platform.
Source – 17/05/2017,Asian Mirror, See more at =- http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/23648-biodiversity-sri-lanka-to-commemorate-international-day-of-biological-diversity
Biodiversity Sri Lanka to commemorate International Day of Biological Diversity
This session will feature four relevant and illustrative case studies from Sri Lanka and the Asia region presented by Maeve Nightingale of IUCN, Asia, environment and wildlife expert, Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Madhura de Silva, President, Wildlife Conservation Society, Galle and Ross Sanders, General Manager, Anantara Peace Haven, Tangalle, covering areas such as the significance of the coast around us and carrying capacity and biodiversity issues in our national protected areas.
The event will be held on the 22nd of May (from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.) at the auditorium of the Hatton National Bank, and is open to the general public. Biodiversity, at the level of species and ecosystems, provides an important foundation for many aspects of tourism.
Recognition of the great importance to tourism economies of attractive landscapes and a rich biodiversity underpins the political and economic case for biodiversity conservation.
A well-managed tourism sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to, and maintain or increase, key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue. Although Sri Lanka is a small island, its biodiversity is significantly important both in a regional and global scale.
The island has been declared as one of the 25 ‘biodiversity hotspots’ of the world. Sri Lanka’s tourism is the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner and contributes a substantial percentage towards the GDP.
In post-war Sri Lanka, tourist arrivals have seen a remarkable increase and there is a significant increase in investments in tourism as well as, infrastructure development through opening up of new tourist attractions.
The theme for this year is primarily about ensuring greater control and management to reduce damage to biodiversity from tourism and pursuing the positive contribution of tourism to biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitat restoration, community engagement, and resource mobilization.
This theme therefore provides an opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) is an entirely private sector owned and driven not-for-profit platform established to promote strong engagement of the corporate sector in biodiversity and environmental conservation issues in Sri Lanka.
BSL actively promotes strong leadership of the private sector in these areas through active learning, providing technical support, sharing information, knowledge and experience, promoting best practices and dialogue with state and civil society partners. Currently, over 65 leading corporates are members of the platform.
Source – 17/05/2017,Dailymirror- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Biodiversity-Sri-Lanka-to-commemorate-International-Day-of-Biological-Diversity-129069.html#sthash.mY12rH8S.dpuf
Aberdeen Falls
The Aberdeen Falls in Ginigathhena will be developed as a tourism promotion project, Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary S.Sarawanabhavan said. This picturesque waterfall was previously known as ‘Eladona Falls’ but had been named ‘Aberdeen’ by the British later on. The waterfall is 320 feet in height and is the main source of water supply to the Castlereigh Reservoir.
Source – 15/05/2017,Dailymirror- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Aberdeen-Falls-128921.html#sthash.XA0MntY1.dpuf
Tokyo Cement opens 2nd biomass power plant in Trinco
President Maithripala Sirisena last week ceremoniously inaugurated Tokyo Cement’s second Biomass Power Plant in Trincomalee as part of a series of events held in commemoration of the late founder Chairman A.Y.S. Gnanam.
The events included the foundation laying ceremony for a housing project for 25 families displaced during the war, distribution of deeds to residents of the Tokyo Cement Tsunami Housing Scheme in Nilaveli, foundation laying for a Technical Building and the commissioning of the Biomass Power Plant inside the Tokyo Cement Factory Premises at Cod Bay, China Bay.
“Mr. Gnanam was a pioneering entrepreneur who ventured into many of Sri Lanka’s firsts, which included the generation of Renewable Biomass Energy. President Sirisena’s visit to the Tokyo Cement Factory to inaugurate the company’s 2nd Biomass Power Plant with a capacity of 8 MW to power the company’s latest manufacturing facility, was a salute to his legacy that will continue to live on for generations to come,” the company said in a media release.
The over 2.5 billion-rupee power plant will add 70 Gwh per year to the national grid generated using industrial and agricultural waste sourced through community trade. In total, the plant will produce 160,000 MW Hours of clean renewable energy per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 100,000 Sri Lankan rural households.
S.R. Gnanam, Managing Director of Tokyo Cement said that the company has become the single largest contributor of renewable energy in the nation, generating 23 MW with the ability to supply 2.5 MW surplus capacity to the national grid.
Sourcr – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170514/business-times/tokyo-cement-opens-2nd-biomass-power-plant-in-trinco-239700.html
KVPL Bags Top Accolade At Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea Of The Year Competition
KVPL team comprised of Rajitha Gnanasekaran, Kasun Dhanapala, Anura Senanayake- DGM- Pedro Estate, Sarath Siriwardena- Director/ CEO of KVPL, Daya Priyantha, Uditha Tennakoon- Group Manager- Glassaugh Estate, Nuran Amarathunga, Laxman Keregala
Hayleys group company, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), took top awards at the recently concluded ‘Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea of the Year Competition’ taking place in Bejing, China.
Taking place at the culmination of the ‘Ceylon Tea Week’ organized by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association in partnership with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China. Ceremonies were also held to recognize the best Sri Lankan tea factories which produced winning teas, in addition to a well-attended Charity Tea Auction at the end of the week.
The preliminary round of the competition was held in Sri Lanka following which, 98 samples of the best teas produced within the seven primary agro-climatic regions of Sri Lanka, as well as Ceylon Green Teas, CTC Teas and Innovative Teas/ Handmade Teas were taken to China for the final competition.
The second charity tea auction was held during the subsequent day at the Beijing Exhibition Center (Russian Centre). While all the gold winners were auctioned, only a few selected Silver and Bronze winners were identified for sale in view of the limited Sunday participants, with a total of RMB, 41,600 being realized at the end of the second auction.
“Shenzhen Shenbao” a major buyer of Ceylon Teas who continues to patronize imports of teas from Sri Lanka turned-out to be the highest bidder at the first Charity Tea Action by securing the Nuwara Eliya Region Gold Award for Lovers Leap Garden Mark FBOP, at a price of RMB 10,000 for the 05 kilos package (approx. SL Rs. 44,000/kilo). “Shenzhen Shenbao” was also recognized for achieving the second highest bid at the same auction at RMB 9,000 for the Nuwara Eliya Region Silver Award which was from Mahagastotte Garden Mark, OP, Grade (Approx. SL Rs. 39,600/kilo) for the 05 kilo package. The Pedro Estate under Kelani Valley Plantations owns both these garden marks.
The Grand Finale was concluded at the National Agriculture Exhibition Centre in Beijing amid the 9th International Chinese Tea Exhibition. The First Charity Tea Auction took place at the Event Hall of the exhibition location during the day following a final round judging.
Hayleys Kelani Valley Plantations (KVPL) has consistently been ranked number one among Sri Lanka’s regional plantation companies in rubber. The company manages 26 Tea and Rubber estates, with KVPL holding the record for the country’s highest ever yield of 1008 kg per hectare. In addition, KVPL comprises 26 estates covering approximately 13,000 hectares in equal extents of tea and rubber, spanning three distinctive agro-climatic regions, employing over 11,000 workers.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2017/05/14/kvpl-bags-top-accolade-at-ceylon-specialty-estate-tea-of-the-year-competition/
Tokyo Cement opens 2nd biomass power plant in Trinco
President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurates the Biomass Power Plant.
President Maithripala Sirisena last week ceremoniously inaugurated Tokyo Cement’s second Biomass Power Plant in Trincomalee as part of a series of events held in commemoration of the late founder Chairman A.Y.S. Gnanam.
The events included the foundation laying ceremony for a housing project for 25 families displaced during the war, distribution of deeds to residents of the Tokyo Cement Tsunami Housing Scheme in Nilaveli, foundation laying for a Technical Building and the commissioning of the Biomass Power Plant inside the Tokyo Cement Factory Premises at Cod Bay, China Bay.
“Mr. Gnanam was a pioneering entrepreneur who ventured into many of Sri Lanka’s firsts, which included the generation of Renewable Biomass Energy. President Sirisena’s visit to the Tokyo Cement Factory to inaugurate the company’s 2nd Biomass Power Plant with a capacity of 8 MW to power the company’s latest manufacturing facility, was a salute to his legacy that will continue to live on for generations to come,” the company said in a media release.
The over 2.5 billion-rupee power plant will add 70 Gwh per year to the national grid generated using industrial and agricultural waste sourced through community trade. In total, the plant will produce 160,000 MW Hours of clean renewable energy per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 100,000 Sri Lankan rural households.
S.R. Gnanam, Managing Director of Tokyo Cement said that the company has become the single largest contributor of renewable energy in the nation, generating 23 MW with the ability to supply 2.5 MW surplus capacity to the national grid.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170514/business-times/tokyo-cement-opens-2nd-biomass-power-plant-in-trinco-239700.html
