Stop the process of destroying sources of the wildlife in Mattala

Thursday, 02 May 2013

Sri Lanka's second international airport has been built in the arid zone, in close proximity to several animal and bird sanctuaries. To protect the airport from animals and birds, the authorities are planning to destroy their traditional feeding grounds and water-holes. If these plans are carried out, the impact on Sri Lanka's natural-wealth will be nothing less than catastrophic.

To turn the airport into an animal and bird free zone the authorities have come up with various plans. The most outrageous is the destruction of water-holes and feeding areas around the airport. If this plan is implemented, it will have a deadly impact on the bird population in the region, both migratory and indigenous. It will also worsen incalculably the human-elephant conflict, as the elephants are likely to venture into sorrounding villages and farms in search of food and water. The location of the airport was motivated by political reasons as the Hambantota District is the home-base of the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakasa. To save the airport, the Sri Lankan government is willing to risk a part of the country's irreplaceable natural heritage. Please prevent this tragedy by asking the Sri Lankan government not to close down the water holes and animal feeding grounds around the airport.

Please sign the petition asking President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and other officials to protect the habitats of animals and birds around Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.

Click here to sign the petition;

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_the_process_of_destroying_sources_of_the_wildlife_IN_Mattala/

Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium gets concession given to places of religious worship

Thursday, 02 May 2013

The Mahinda Rajapaksa ground in Diyagama, Homagama has been allocated the same concession offered by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) under the R1 head to places of religious worship.

Therefore, Vat and other taxes are not added to the electricity bill of this ground and stadium. However, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Development Fund has continuously avoided paying the electricity bills of the sports complex even after receiving these concessions.

The bill released by the CEB under account number 4170001788 in March notes that a sum of Rs. 6,345,303.68 has been charged to the stadium. President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the stadium on January 21, 2010. None of the electricity bills issued since the opening have been paid. Despite warnings issued by the CEB that the power supply to the stadium would be disconnected if the bills are not paid, none of the bills have yet been paid.