The 12th Asia-Pacific Chapter Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) got underway yesterday (Sept 10) at MAS Athena in Thulhiriya. Published on SundayTimes Online on 11.09.2010 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1102195/environmentalists-conservationists-gather-for-tropical-biodiversity-conference-in-sri-lanka By Malaka Rodrigo The 12th Asia-Pacific Chapter Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) got underway yesterday (Sept 10) at MAS Athena i
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/09/sri-lanka-scales-up-its-domestic-campaign-to-protect-sharks-with-a-global-push/ published on MongayBay on 05.09.2019 With the killing of sharks and rays on the rise, Sri Lanka played a lead role in pushing three proposals to extend global protection to 18 species at the recently concluded CITES wildlife trade summit in Geneva. Sixty-three sharks and 42 ray species are found in Sri Lankan waters, and are threatened by overexploitation ...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190908/news/elephant-count-method-triggers-debate-on-reliability-367479.html published on 08.09.2019 The islandwide elephant survey planned for September 13-14 is likely to be postponed due to bad weather in some parts of Sri Lanka, the Sunday Times learns. The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara, said the survey will “most probably’’ be postponed and an official announcement will be made tomorrow. The survey will be re-scheduled. ...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190901/news/sri-lankan-lizards-tortoises-get-greater-protection-from-wildlife-trade-366240.html published on 01.09.2019 The World Wildlife Conference, known formerly as the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) of the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), ended on August 28. The Sri Lankan delegation at the summit Most of proposals that Sri Lanka submitted along with other countries seeking trade protection ...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190901/news/researchers-rewarded-for-published-locally-relevant-projects-366270.html published on SundayTimes on 01.09.2019 About 240 Sri Lankan scientists involved in 100 different research fields including medicine, agriculture, engineering and basic sciences were honoured at the 12th President’s Awards for Scientific Research. NRC Chairman Prof.Janaka de Silva addressing the audience The awards were held in Colombo under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena on August
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190825/news/white-elephant-concentration-camp-for-problem-jumbos-364872.html published on SundayTimes on 25.08.2019 The proposed $5 million elephant holding ground inside Lunugamwehera National Park for so-called problem elephants has drawn criticism from environmentalists who say it will become a prison and also harm free-ranging elephants in the park. Starving elephants of Lunugamwehera soon after Elephant Drive in 2005 The Sunday Times has learned that the World ...
This is an article published on SciDev.net exactly 5 years ago on 01.Sept.2014 https://www.scidev.net/south-asia/health/news/snakebite-test-cuts-toxic-remedy.html. Herewith re-posting the article on Window2Nature inorder to archive it. Copyright: Panos/Kris Pannecoucke Speed read A new snakebite test is quick and helps determine need for anti-venom treatment Anti-venom often triggers severe allergic reactions and is not readily available The test looks for an enzyme ...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190825/news/humble-hunas-highlighted-in-hansard-364842.html Published on SundayTimes on 25.08.2019 The naming of six recently-discovered geckos after past Sinhalese warriors created controversy this week with Member of the Parliament Wimal Weerawansa calling it disgraceful. One of the geckos that were named after a warrior- C. kivulegedarai. The leading scientist behind the discovery, Sameera Karunaratne, protests that the new geckos, which are found only ...
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/08/in-sri-lanka-the-sweet-smell-of-agarwood-draws-calls-for-trade-protection Published on SundayTimes on 23.08.2019 Agarwood, a resinous substance produced by tree species in the Aquilaria and Gyrinops genera, is a prized source of natural perfume and incense, and is regularly smuggled out of Sri Lanka. Although all agarwood-producing species are already listed in CITES Appendix II, fresh calls are being made to include one of them, Gyrinops ...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190825/news/world-wildlife-conference-pays-tribute-to-lankan-victims-of-terror-364936.html Published on SundayTimes on 25.08.2019 The 18th World Wildlife Conference convened by the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES) is being held in Geneva, from August 17-28. Delegates from 183 countries along with other participants observed a minute’s silence, before starting proceedings, to pay tribute to victims of Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday terrorist att
Published on SundayTimes on 18.08.2019 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190818/news/out-of-the-blue-a-visitor-is-blown-in-by-the-monsoon-363649.html An unusually large bird found this week on Muthu Panthiya island in Chilaw drew crowds as it had never been observed on land. Stricken by curiosity, the villagers caught the bird and handed over to the Anawilndawa wildlife office. Surprise visitor: The Frigatebird. Pic by Hiran Priyankara The bird, blackish with white underparts, ...
A wildlife ranger was tragically killed this week when an elephant whose gunshot wound he was trying to treat suddenly turned and attacked him. Wildlife Guard B.M.C.K. Basnayake was the second wildlife officer killed by an elephant this year and the 75th ranger to die in the course of duty since the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) was established. ...
New Gecko Godagedaras’ Day Gecko – Cnemaspis godagedarai (c) Chen Lee While Keppetipola Disawe is the best-known chieftain who fought in the 1817 Wellassa rebellion against the British, another warrior, often forgotten, has now been honoured in the naming of a newly-discovered gecko found only in Sri Lanka. The name of the hero, Godagedara Rate Adhikaram, now lives on ...
Published on SundayTimes on 14.04.2019 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190414/news/tiny-orchid-with-the-name-of-a-giant-345337.html April is the month of flowers and there is no better time to announce that a newly-discovered orchid named Pteroceras dalaputtuwa in memory of the iconic tusker, Galgamuwa Dala Puttuwa, tragically killed for its tusks, has been added to the list of flowers endemic to Sri Lanka. The tiny Dalaputtuwa orchid is a partially opened ...
Published on SundayTimes on 17.02.2019 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190217/news/count-the-birds-public-urged-to-join-global-initiative-336547.html As the annual initiative, Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) from Febrary 15-18–where birdwatchers around the world are invited to count and report details of birds in the area in which they live– marks its last day tomorrow, a veteran ornithologist here has said it was important to keep a tab on what are ...
IndianAwl Adam’s Peak is known as ‘Samanala Kanda’ (Butterfly Mountain) because large numbers of butterflies fly towards it during the pilgrim season. According to folklore these butterflies fly to pay tribute to the mountain and with the Adam’s Peak season starting next week, this is probably the best time to launch the ‘Field Guide to Butterflies of Sri Lanka’. ...
Northern Sri Lanka’s beauty eluded the third eye of nature photographers for a long time because of security issues. But with restrictions eased after the war, well known wildlife photographers Thilak Jayaratne, Janaka Gallangoda and Nadika Hapuarachchi became frequent visitors to this region. The beauty of Mannar and Adam’s Bridge sand islands mesmerised these photographers and after a gruelling ...
While power-greedy politicians vociferously tarnish the image of country through their undemocratic fights, scientists silently bring some dignity to the name of Sri Lanka. Marine biologist Asha de Vos Marine biologist Asha de Vos and cancer researcher Hasini Jayatilaka brought honour to the country when they were internationally recognised this month for their tireless efforts and groundbreaking discoveries. Ms. ...
Runaway kites prove fatal for unwary birds – published on SundayTimes on 16.09.2018 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180916/news/heavens-death-traps-311589.html The sight of kites flying high in the skies being joy to the beholder but runaway kites are an increasing threat to local birds that become entangled in the strings. Entangled victim: Egret caught in a kite thread (c) Sumith Bandara Art master Shantha K. Herath ...
