A leopard caught in a wire snare at Stoneycliff Estate, Kotagala has been rescued and is currently receiving treatment at the Randenigala Wildlife Office, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in a post on ‘X’.

Premadasa expressed gratitude to veterinary surgeons Ganga and Nihal, as well as Akalanka and his team, who personally visited the site. He also thanked Harsha Maduranga, Sashika, and the Wildlife Department team for their “valiant efforts” in saving the animal despite ongoing industrial action.

He further acknowledged Nuwan and Bandara for conveying information about the incident, noting that he himself had facilitated the rescue effort late into the night and early morning.

“It is high time the invaluable role of vets is recognised and rewarded,” Premadasa stressed, highlighting their contribution in saving the leopard’s life. (Newswire)

Leopard that was a victim of a wire snare at Stoneycliff Estate in Kotagala has been saved and looking good for the moment presently receiving treatment at the Randenigala Wild Life Office. Immensely grateful to vet surgeons Ganga and Nihal and to Akalanka who personally visited… pic.twitter.com/0tYFtfFq3e

— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) August 6, 2026

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Sri Lanka Army personnel rescued residents stranded by floodwaters in Kotagala and the Blackwater area of Ginigathhena last afternoon as heavy rains continued to impact parts of the country.

Authorities continue to urge the public in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions. (Newswire)

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Police have arrested 11 suspects following a clash between groups from Talawakelle and Norton areas during a wedding ceremony at the Kotagala town hall on Wednesday (17).

According to the Police, Officers from the Dimbulapitiya Police, assisted by personnel from surrounding stations and local residents, moved in to control the situation and took the suspects into custody.

The group was produced before the Hatton Magistrate’s Court yesterday (18), where the Magistrate ordered all 11 to be remanded until June 22.

Police confirmed that no damage to property or loss of life was reported from the incident. Further investigations are being carried out by the Dimbulapitiya Police. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to acquire a plot of land belonging to Kotagala Plantation (Pvt) Ltd for a public playground for the benefit of the students of the Sri Palee Campus affiliated with the University of Colombo.

According to the government, about 850 students are studying in the Sri Palee Campus, but they lack a suitable playground for the students to practice sports and conduct sporting events.   

As such, discussions have been conducted with relevant parties to acquire 2.5 acres of land that is uncultivated and owned by the Sorana Plantation under the Kotagala Plantation adjacent to the Sri Palee Campus, enabling the land to be used as a public playground. 

The consent of the board of directors of the Kotagala Plantation (Pvt) Ltd has been received to release the said land without any compensation, while the approval of the Secretary to the Treasury as an owner of the golden shares of the land, has also been received for the allocation of the land. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as a Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, to transfer the 2.5 acres of land owned by the Sorana Plantation under the Kotagala Plantation to the Sri Palee Campus affiliated to the University of Colombo. (Newswire)

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