A group of monkeys are reported to have broken into a house in the Talalla area, taking off with some gold jewellery.

According to the Dinamina newspaper, the monkeys had broken into a room on the upper floor of the house, while the residents were working in the garden.

The stolen gold jewellery included a gold chain, pendant, three rings, and two Panchayuda that were kept inside a jewellery box.  

Upon initial inspection of the room, the residents found all the belongings scattered across the room, while only later on they had found that the jewellery had been stolen.

Following a search conducted in the neighbourhood, the residents found some gold jewellery on the roof of the neighbour’s house and some in the gutter.

Several other items that had also been taken by the monkeys had later been found strewn across the neighbourhood. (Newswire)

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The distribution of air rifles to farmers to ward off crop-destroying animals commenced on Sunday (Oct 22).

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera commenced the distribution programme in Angunukolapellessa last morning.

A total of 268 air rifles were distributed to farmers in Angunukolapellessa under the programme. 

Speaking to reporters, Minister Amaraweera said that farmers have made repeated requests for firearms to ward off crop-destroying animals due to the large-scale crop destructions in the recent past.

Stating that monkeys are the key crop destroyers, the minister said measures taken to export Sri Lankan monkeys to China had been suspended due to legal action by environmental organizations. 

“Even though several other countries have also shown interest in receiving Sri Lankan monkeys, the proposal has been suspended in the initial stages due to a court order,” he said. 

Minister Amaraweera pointed out that, however, the destruction of cultivated crops by wild animals has created a serious crisis situation as there is a risk of a future food crisis.

He further said that therefore, it is required to provide not only air rifles but other firearms as well to farmers for this purpose.

“The proposals presented by these environmental organizations to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals including wild animals are not practical at all. the suggestions by these environmental organizations include measures such as saris being hung around the plantations, plates being tied to the coconut trees, and half an acre of cultivated farms being set aside for wild animals,” the minister revealed.

“Therefore, in an effort to prevent crop damage, steps were taken to distribute air rifles subject to 50% contribution as per the request of the farmers and the government had allocated financial allocations for this purpose this year,” he added. (NewsWire)

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The Court of Appeal was today given an assurance by the Department of Wildlife and Conservation that they will not be taking steps to export toque macaque monkeys from Sri Lanka to China.

The assurance given by the Department of Wildlife and Conservation was informed to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General when the petitions filed against the move were taken up for hearing today.

The case will be taken up before the Court of Appeal next on 6th July 2023 to record the undertaking given to the Court by the State. 

Nearly 30 petitions were filed in response to a previous statement made by Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera claiming that there were plans being made to export toque macaque monkeys from Sri Lanka to China.

The petitioners were filed by several animal activists and environmentalists, including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, before the Court of Appeal seeking a Writ of Certiorari, quashing any decision to export toque macaque monkeys to China. 

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with counsels Prashanthi Mahindaratne, Dilumi De Alwis, Lakmini Warusevitane and Rukshan Senadira instructed by attorney-at- law Amila Kumar appeared for the Petitioners. (NewsWire)

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The government has permitted farmers to kill monkeys that are found to be destroying crops, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said on Friday (16).

During a meeting with potato farmers, the minister was informed of monkeys destroying crops making it impossible to grow potatoes in the area.

Responding, the minister revealed that six crop-ravaging animals, peacocks, monkeys, toque macaques (“rilava”), grizzled giant squirrels (“dadu lena”), porcupines, and wild boars, were recently removed from the list of protected animals in Sri Lanka. 

Minister Amaraweera said, therefore, the farmers are at liberty to use any measures to tackle the menace. 

He further stated that after conducting excessive research, including studies conducted overseas, it has been proven that there are no other ways to resolve the issue. (NewsWire)

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