The Mahaweli River, which is the longest river in Sri Lanka, flows through the wet, intermediate and dry zones of the country. Large extents along this river are yet to be explored for its rich biodiversity. One such area along the Mahaweli River at Gatambe, Warathenna in the Kandy District appears to harbor a diverse community of flora and fauna and hence recently declared as an Environmental Protection Area (EPA). The present study was carried out to investigate and prepare a comprehensive checklist of the freshwater fish in this EPA. Field sampling was carried out using a cast net to survey the fish along the margins while fishermen’s catch was used to identify fish in deeper waters. Twenty-eight fish species belonging to 11 fam..... Read More

D.Thilakarathne,G.N.Hirimuthugoda,T. Lakkana,S. Kumburegama,

Many earth scientists have postulated that Sri Lanka is a Precambrian landmass composed mainly of Proterozoic rocks. Published worked by such previous workers divulged that the recent geochronological data of Sri Lanka suggest that: (1) Highland/Southwestern Complex (H/SWC) sedimentation as well as igneous activity in the form of basic lava flows, basic sills and dykes took place ~ 2,000 Ma ago; (2) intrusion of the earliest granitoids into the Highland Complex (HC) took place 1,940 to 1,800 Ma ago; (3) orthogneisses of the Wanni Complex (WC) were intruded between 1,100 and 670 Ma; (4) orthogneisses of the Vijayan Complex (VC) were intruded between 1,040 - 1,030 Ma; and (5) highgrade regional metamorphism of the HC, VC and WC took place ..... Read More

Jinadasa Katupotha,

Thirty three species of Strobilanthes BLUME in Sri Lanka and varieties of some species are illustrated with information on distribution pattern, elevation range, habitat and distinguishing characters useful for individual identification. All species have a rather restricted distribution in undisturbed montane and sub-montane forests and lowland rain forests of the island. Recorded locations of all species were mapped on floristic zones in Sri Lanka. Among the floristic zones, Foothills of Adam's Peak and Ambagamuwa has the highest species richness, whereas dry zone is the lowest compared to Strobilanthes recorded zones. Furthermore diversity and distribution of plants were affected by altitude. About 66% of Stro..... Read More

R.M.R.Nilanthi,

Human elephant conflict has gained more attention than ever but solutions have done little to solve the problem. As the issues are area specific it is important to understand the context at each locality to propose mitigatory measures. A study was conducted to identify the trends in human and wild elephant deaths in and around Maduru Oya National Park. Data were collected from Department of Wildlife Conservation. Also, body condition of elephants found in the park were assesses using the methodology developed by Fernando et al 2009. Additionally, electric fences in the vicinity of the national park were ground truthed and were mapped using ArcGIS. Both the human deaths and animal deaths are escalating in Maduru Oya. In 2018 alone17 human..... Read More

A.S.C.Wilson,U.K.G.K.Padmalal,S. Jayakody,

Different types of plant materials are used in traditional craft industry. Gallehe (Cyperus corymbosus) is the most commonly used reed plant and considered as a good quality weaving material . Traditionally materials were collected from the wild and natural habitats are now depleted . Therefore this research was conducted to study the feasibility & economic returns of grown Cyperus corymbosus under the rain fed conditions in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with two replicates ten square meters each The study site consist of sandy loam soil having 5.71 p.H levels, EC of 0.05dc m-1 with available P and exchangeable K are 11.7 ppm and 114.09 ppm respectively...... Read More

G.D.A.PriyanthiI,I.Madhavi,A.P.K.Aruni Priyangika Peiris,

Buddhism consciously persuades beings to alleviation of defilements for the sake of all the creatures not only the human but all the animals. Nevertheless, Buddhism appreciates always unity of all living beings irrespective of designation. Considering on the animal liberation in Buddhism interestingly and significantly emphasize under the concept of loving-kindness (Mettā). Buddhism does not commend either harm to myself, or harm others and both. Predominately Buddhism declares expressively to loving and compassionate towards all the beings. The minimum code of ethics that Buddhist lay people follow the five precepts there first precept is abstention from killing living beings. Therefore, Buddhism has given equivalent places to all th..... Read More

Ven. Thittagalle Arunasiri,

A study was done in the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground (HEHG) located in the Anuradhapura DWC region, Sri Lanka. Horowpothana National Park (HWNP) was the 23rd national park with 2500 hectares of Department of Wildlife Conservation and in inside of this National Park established a Special Elephant Holding Ground (EHG) covered with special electric fence and it was the one of major solution for Human-Elephant conflict in the Sri Lanka. The EHG in Horowpatha is the world’s first Elephant Holding Ground for most ardency and marauding elephants in our country which is located on 998 hectares. The eco system includes dry zone tropical savanna climate and dry evergreen monsoon forest, the study on the behavior of translocated marau..... Read More

D.M.N.Srinath Bandara,