News

Sri Lanka has recorded the deaths of 128 wild elephants so far this year, highlighting the continuing toll of human-elephant conflict and other hazards facing the country’s wildlife.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the deaths were reported between January 1 and May 15 across several wildlife regions.

Among the incidents, 20 elephants were killed in shootings, while 15 died from electrocution. Another 10 elephants lost their lives after consuming “hakka patas” explosives, and five died after falling into agricultural wells.

The Department said additional elephant deaths were caused by poisoning, train collisions, drowning and other accidents.

The highest number of deaths was reported from the Eastern Region, with further incidents also recorded in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones.

Meanwhile, the Department also revealed that 35 human deaths caused by elephant attacks were reported during the same period, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by both people and wildlife in areas affected by human-elephant encounters.

The minimum bus fare in Sri Lanka could increase to Rs. 40 following the upcoming annual revision in July, as continued weakening of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar may push transport costs higher, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has warned.

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that the annual bus fare revision is determined based on 12 key criteria, including the Colombo Consumer Price Index, the US dollar exchange rate, interest rates, and the price of buses.

He noted that ongoing currency depreciation could directly influence fare adjustments, cautioning that the situation is becoming increasingly critical for both bus operators and passengers as the review period approaches.

A total of 42 antique paintings from Sri Lanka’s National Art Gallery have been reported missing, according to a statement made in Parliament today by Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.

Responding to oral questions in Parliament, the Minister revealed that the missing artworks were identified following an inspection carried out by a stock verification board in 2015.

The inspection focused on paintings and sculptures held at the National Art Gallery, during which discrepancies in the institution’s stock records came to light.

According to the Minister, the official stock register listed a total of 281 paintings. However, only 239 paintings are currently accounted for at the National Art Gallery, leaving 42 antique artworks unaccounted for.

The disclosure has raised concerns over the whereabouts of the missing pieces and the management of valuable cultural assets housed at the gallery.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that politics and development are deeply interconnected, stating that political decisions shape every choice made in governance.

She made the remarks while addressing the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex during her official visit to the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya and her delegation arrived at Heathrow Airport on May 18, marking the start of the official visit. The delegation was received by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nimal Senadheera, alongside Special Representative to the UK Foreign Secretary and former British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Richard Wildash and other diplomatic officials, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Beginning her official engagements, the Prime Minister visited the University of Sussex in Brighton, where she was welcomed by Professor Anu Joshi, Professor Mick Moore and senior university representatives.

Addressing a public event, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reflected on the connection between politics, governance and development, drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent political and economic experiences. She highlighted the challenges of balancing governance, economic recovery, social protection and institutional reform while responding to public expectations and upholding democratic accountability.

The Prime Minister also underscored the government’s policy focus on recognizing paid and unpaid care work as a key part of the national economy, particularly emphasizing the contributions and challenges faced by women in the care sector.

During the visit, Prime Minister Amarasuriya is also expected to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by discussions with scholars and students.

She is also scheduled to meet senior representatives of the UK government, including Yvette Cooper, UK Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson, and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during the visit.

Sri Lanka has reiterated its commitment to strengthening lifelong care for childhood cancer survivors, emphasizing that survival must be measured not only by numbers but also by quality of life.

Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made the remarks while addressing a special session on childhood cancer care on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

He said that “the true measure of success in childhood cancer is not only how many children survive, but how they live,” highlighting the importance of ensuring survivors lead healthy, dignified and productive lives.

Global health leaders at the meeting pledged to raise the survival rate of children with cancer to at least 60 percent by 2030 under the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.

Speaking at a session titled “Measuring survival, driving change – Advancing equity through the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer,” the Minister stressed that many survivors continue to face long-term physical, mental and social challenges. These include heart-related complications, endocrine disorders, learning difficulties, mental health issues, reproductive health concerns, as well as social and economic risks.

He noted Sri Lanka’s continued collaboration with the World Health Organization, international partners, health professionals and survivor communities to strengthen long-term care for children who survive cancer.

Sri Lanka’s free public health system, he said, provides a strong foundation for equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up care and psychosocial support.

The Minister further emphasized that care must extend beyond hospitals into primary healthcare services, schools, families and communities. Sri Lanka is also strengthening organized follow-up services through paediatric cancer treatment centres and hospitals to ensure continuous care from childhood into adulthood.

He added that Medical Officer of Health services, public health nursing, maternal and child health programmes and newly introduced Arogya Suwatha centres will play a key role in community-based follow-up care.

The WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, launched in 2018, is currently active in 87 countries, with 50 countries already integrating childhood cancer control into their national health strategies.

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has announced a revision in the prices of imported milk powder, attributing the change to prevailing market conditions and fluctuations in exchange rates.

According to the announcement, the price of a 400g milk powder packet will increase by Rs. 50, while a 1kg packet will see an upward revision of Rs. 125.

The revised pricing structure will come into effect from today (20), the association confirmed.

However, the association clarified that imported milk powder currently available in the market will not be affected by the price increase. It further stated that new stocks reaching the market will be sold at the revised rates within the next week.

Registration of dansals organised for the upcoming Vesak festival has been made mandatory, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, has announced.

He said organisers can register their dansals through the nearest health office, allowing health authorities to issue the necessary guidelines to ensure safe food preparation for public consumption.

Dr. Gunawardena further noted that the registration programme for Vesak dansals commenced on May 4, as part of efforts to strengthen food safety measures during the festive season.