Indigenous leader goes to court against land allocation
by Zulfick Farzan
Colombo (News 1st); Leader of the Indigenous community Uruwaarige Wannila Aththo and the Centre for Environmental Justice filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent the allocation of indigenous community lands for maize cultivation for leading companies.
The Minister of Wildlife, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mahaweli Development Authority, the Director-General of the Department of Wildlife, and Director-General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation among others were named as the respondents in the application.
Leader of the Indigenous community Uruwaarige Wannila Aththo and the petitioners pointed out the indigenous community for centuries used these lands and survived in the wilderness and the decision taken by the Mahaweli Development Authority to allocate over 5000 acres of forest land for maize cultivation takes away their livelihood.
By Ifham Nizam
Peradeniya University scientists are awaiting the Health Ministry’s go-ahead to launch the first locally manufactured anti-serum to treat snakes bites.
The University’s Head Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Pathobiology, R. P. V. J. Rajapakse, said that half a dose of the locally produced serum was sufficient to treat snake bite victims
“The preclinical tests have been completed and the level of efficacy was excellent,” he said.
He said an imported dose costs eight US dollars, whereas the local product can be made available at a more competitive price.
Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale), Cobra (Naja naja), Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) and Ceylon krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) are snakes considered “medically important” in Sri Lanka.
The New Mexico Wildlife Heritage Act,
SB312, introduced by Sen. Jeff Steinborn and Rep. Nathan Small, both Las Cruces Democrats, would change the name of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The bill would expand the wildlife department’s mission to do more to address the needs of non-game species and update several provisions implementing better wildlife management practices. While a majority of states have structured their wildlife management under ‘wildlife departments’, New Mexico is one of only 11 states that still manages wildlife within a ‘game and fish’ structure.
“It’s been a century since the New Mexico Legislature created the first game commission in 1921,” Sen. Steinborn said. “Our state has grown significantly since then, and with the fourth highest biodiversity of any state in the country, New Mexico needs a more comprehensive approach to wildlife management. We need to update our laws to provide fo
LOLC Life Assurance and LOLC General Insurance recently expanded its operations in Matara. The new LOLC Life and LOLC General Zonal Offices were ceremonially inaugurated at No. 366,1/1, Galle Road, Paburana, Matara. In addition, the LOLC Life Provincial Office in Matara was relocated to No. 13, Station Road, Matara to a more spacious Provincial Branch on the same day. This is the first Provincial Branch opened by LOLC Life.
“We are extremely excited for the opportunity to grow in Matara and to serve this community to our fullest potential. We hope to expand our presence further in the entire southern province, in the months ahead” said, LOLC Life Assurance, Chief Executive Officer, Nadika Opatha. “Our new location in Matara is conveniently situated and is staffed by a team of experienced insurance experts. We look forward to serving the people of the Southern region and businesses in this area”.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon extended its wholehearted support to the Colombo launch last weekend of the Central Bank’s initiative to promote cashless digital payments via LANKAQR, the national Quick Response (QR) Code platform. The Colombo launch event was held at ‘Diyatha Uyana,’ one of the most popular outdoor markets in Sri Jayewardenepura, and was […]