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.
The petitioners say; “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.”
Why this is important
“In a move, probably without precedent anywhere in the world, the government of Sri Lanka is in the process of destroying sources of water for migratory birds, elephants and other wildlife in the proximity of the recently commissioned Mahinda Rajapaksa Mattala International Airport. The airport is located in the Hambantota District in the arid zone of Sri Lanka, in close vicinity to several sanctuaries including Bundala and Kumana. Therefore the airport is proximate to the flight paths of migratory birds; already two aircrafts have had close shaves when they hit flocks of birds. A week before the airport was inaugurated; a wild elephant attack took place on the main access road (the victim died subsequently). It has been reported that peacocks often wonder into the airport, including the runway, from the sorrounding shrub jungles.
To 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.
J.Muthu / May 3, 2013
Atlast wild life also lost their freedom. God bless Srilanka. Thease rajapakse thugs when will they stop? Over to you Sinhala budhist…..
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Dinuk / May 3, 2013
It is the Mattala Rajapassa WHITE ELEPHANT airport that MUST BE SHUT DOWN. It is an environmental disaster. A development induced disaster which is a MODEL of how NOT to do development among rural agricultural, farming and fisher communities.
When I visited the airport in Mattala after driving on six land highways berret of cars or people in Hambantota, two weeks after its inauguration there was NOT A SINGLE plane there, only a few bus loads of school children to see the building whose electricity, air conditioning and maintenance charge is being passed on to poor citizens in the name of the electricity price rise.
What is most criminal is the UNP opposition has FAILED to EDUCATE the people and voters of Lanka on the massive fraud and ENVIRONMENTAL and HUMAN DISASTER (through land grabbing in the North) that is happening all over the country, because the UNP believe in the Neoliberal project.
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Kapila / May 3, 2013
Spot on Dinuk!
The white elephant Hambantota port and airport are DEVELOPMENT INDUCED DISASTERS.
In the north, the establishment of military bases is also a case of DEVELOPMENT INDUCED DISASTER and FORCE DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE.
The Rajapassa brothers are a Human and environmental disaster for Lanka. BUT All the bloody UN Disaster preparedness workshops and talk shows and the disaster prepardeness industry is silent about this worst of all development disasters in Lanka.
Oh what a farce is Development and the UN!
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dodo / May 3, 2013
The peacock is the vehicle of God Siva and GOD Katharagama- the DESTROYER.
It is the breeding and nesting ground of the God who destroys that are being destroyed by the Rajapassa king of Lanka gone mad and drunk with power.
Rajapaksa will be destroyed by GOD SIVA soon!
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
YOU ARE BOTHERED ABOUT WILD LIFE LOSING FREEDOM!!!!
HAVE WE STUPID HUMANS IN THIS COUNTRY – FREEDOM?
WE HAVE “FREE-DUMB”
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Ben Hurling / May 3, 2013
I knew this was going to happen. Crime!
When they started these Mega projects in beautiful rural areas of southern Sri Lanka. Nothing but Rajapassa Megalomania.
This family will destroy Sri Lanka’s ecological beauty before they get kicked out of power.
Where the hell is JHU? I thought they were a kind of a Green Party. All that is BS. Too busy enjoying perks in government Mr. Champuka Ranawaka?
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Coconut Donkey / May 3, 2013
While commending the initiative of a petition, excuse me or being skeptical given the impunity with which stealing, raping and killing of people and resources has and continues to take place in this country under the present regime. Culling of birds has already begun.
The worst part is they knew well in advance the bird density in Mattala was way too high for a commercial airport so the government solution: Kill the birds..
Pathetic human scum!!!
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sunila Mendis / May 3, 2013
25000 sq.miles of land is a small island called Sri Lanka.It’s economy is smaller than a muti billion US company.It is in this context that we build new harbours in place of using Galle and Trincomalee as the second harbour.Mattala second airport shows the wilful destruction of birds and animals sanctuaries A govt which has no concern for the plight of it’s people will hardly be concerned about it’s Flora and Fauna.They are standing on their heads not to see the reality of the debt ridden economy.
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
THIS IS THE RESULT OF STUPID IDIOTS LIKE US GIVING THE GOVERNING OF THIS COUNTRY TO DONKEYS.
NOT THAT WE REALLY GAVE IT TO THEM .
THEY “ROBBED” IT. THANKS TO THE COMPUTER AND DAYANANDA
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Thunderstorm / May 3, 2013
OMG! Now the animals will turn against the government and will hold peaceful demonstrations to voice their concern. The police will waste no time in arresting them. Remember the prompt action taken by police to track down and arrest the poor school girl who stole a couple of coconuts as if she was some serial killer on the loose? BBS will call for a media conference and declare that the animals are a threat to the peace of the country as they have proof to show that the animals have been trained by Al qaida and Taliban in Afghanistan prior to arriving in Hambantota!
And the gullible masses and the media will swallow it hook, line and sinker.
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Dude / May 3, 2013
Nice work! Cool runnings..
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Pol Pot / May 6, 2013
Thunderstorm, you are on the right Track. I believe that Vijaya banished all his troublesome followers to Hambantota, and they continue to wreak havoc there to this day
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dingiri / May 3, 2013
And Basil’s pathetic rejoinder to a question posed about the environmental consequences of Muttala Airport in an interview with the Daily Mirror:
“These Colombo people are shouting because they are envious that the poor people of Mattala who live in mud huts have just received an airport to call their own. How can they claim to be concerned about the environment when you consider the amount of rubbish that they have been dumping in the canals around Colombo…?!” – Basil Rajapakse
Just an example of the superior logic and critical thinking abilities of the minds that rule over us today.
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
REJOINDER? MY FOOT!!!!
THE ONE WHO QUESTIONED MUST BE AN IDIOT.
IF YOU ASK A DONKEY, IT WILL BRAY.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT FROM BASIL?
“BALLANG GE WEDE BOORUWANTE DUNNAME MEKAI WENNE”
SUBHA ANAGATHEYAK !!!!!!!!!!!
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Ronro / May 3, 2013
Nature is something that the politicos has never given consideration,if there is a luxury hotel close by they will flock with their families,basically they don’t know what it is,and why it should be preserved,we don’t have enough work to the existing airport,here we go and build up another in a area where wild life thrive,UNP don’t even talk about them, it’s on the payroll of the government and we know very well how Sajith work on elephants ended up,I wish this petition will work,but the truth…..be thankful if this is read, the rajapaksa clan will have a good laugh at it
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quidproquo / May 3, 2013
I applaud this effort, but also recognize that it is an exercise in futility. For a regime that cares less about its people (and even less about animals), signed petitions could be ignored at best, or provide a self-evident list for white-vanning at worst.
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DODU / May 3, 2013
First it was Matale mass Garves with own community, next it was genocide of Tamils, then it was the destruction of churches and mosques. Latest in this sequence is destruction of birds and animals in the forest.
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DODU / May 3, 2013
In Hamabntota we have an International Airport! We have an International Harbour, we have an International Cricket Stadium, we have an International Botonical Garden….
We should have a Parliment and a Presidential Secreteriat in Hambantota and also an International Zoo…..
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Raizuh Langai / May 4, 2013
Dear DODU When they will have the last two in Mahindatota you dont need an international ZOO!
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
I THINK THEY HAVE A PLAN FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ZOO TOO.
THE ANIMALS HAVE GOT WIND OF IT AND THEY WILL TAKE OVER MATTALA,
AND DO A BETTER JOB.
THE “V.I.P.” LOUNGE CAN BE USED TO HAVE THE “STAR ATTRACTIONS”
LIKE THE RAJAPAKSES,MERVYNS,DUMIDAS,BOORUWANSES,GAMMANPILLAIS.
I ALMOST FORGOT.THE “FIRST CLASS LOUNGE” WHICH CAN HOUSE THE
THE BODU BALU SENA.
WELL THERE YOU ARE. WE WILL HAVE OUR DISNEY LAND TOO.
WITH WITHANAGE AS C.E.O. WITH HIS VAST EXPERIENCE AND FUNDS
FROM NORWAY, BOUND TO BE A BIG SUCCESS .
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Raizuh Langai / May 4, 2013
All (if any)voted for MR have a moral responibility to chase the regeime away for its sins. National wealth being plundered to the prsonal glory of a clan. Whether its Tsunami money scandal, dealing with Tigers, commission in all deals, Harbour airport deal, any suspicious murder of political opponents, rigging of elections, creating white elephants etc. to be answered by this gang.
Bahu Bootha Sena! if you are real buddhist and not sponsoered by these thugs, you have a responsibility to the cause for this country. Wake up & chase these thugs away make our country a true buddhist one.
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
THE RATE AT WHICH BLACK ELEPHANTS ARE BEING “SACRIFICED”,KILLED AND
ELECTROCUTED,WE WILL HAVE TO ENCOURAGE THE “BREEDING” OF MORE WHITE
ELEPHANTS. WITH THE INCREASE IN TOURISM TO SEE THESE WE ARE BOUND TO BOUNCE BACK TO BE THE “FINANCIAL MIRACLE OF ASIA” AS FORECASTED
BY OUR FINANCIAL “WIZARDS” AJITH CABRAL AND SARATH AMUNUGAMA,
WITH THE “MONEY HAGGLING” EXPERT BASIL AND NOT TO FORGET
TO GIVE DUE CREDIT TO SIYAMBALAPITIYA. AND OF COURSE P.B. JAYASUNDARA
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The All Caps Freak / May 14, 2013
dude, how many times you are told not to use all caps. do you understand english?
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Ceylon Boy / May 4, 2013
Every airline that uses Mattala should be guilty of endangering wild life and our environment.
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Ruki Herath / May 5, 2013
Great idea! Perhaps the only way to stop the impending disaster is to find a way to pressurize the airlines on ethical grounds.
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
NO PRESSURIZING NECESSARY, THE ONLY FOREIGN AIRLINE AIR ARABIA
WHICH USED MATTALA, HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER FLY TO MATTALA BUT TO THE ONE CLOSE TO WATTALA.
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Amara / May 7, 2013
As a small country sri Lanka can not afford for internationl migrant birds every day. our population getting bigger and bigger, we have to lookafter our people first, its time to divert those birds to another destination places like india. ones they do not have what they want from mattala area they will find an alternative, birds not going to die. similer to humen they will fly different places for their need. its part of the nature common for everyone.
So do not cry too much guys lern to appriciate insterd of selfish. if you so warry about wilf life around the area go and stop killing wales and overfishing in india ocean. this developmen drive for loan run for future genarations not for f”’kn you guys
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Jayantha / May 7, 2013
The biggest ever environmental disaster happened in Sri Lanka due to building an airport in the middle of an animal habitat in Mattala by President Rajapakse.
The reasons are as follows.
1)Covering over 500 acres of Virgin Fertile land with three feet of thick concrete, destroying permentally a virgin cultivable land to build the Mattala Airport.
2)Covering over 900 acres of Virgin cultivable land with concrete to build the Airport and surrounding buildings, warehouses, car parks and hangers etc,etc..
3)Covering over 1800 acres of land with an electric fense where previously this was an Animal habitat.
4)Daily animals such as Elephants, cows, monkeys, buffalows, deer, goats, rabits, pigs, crocodiles etc, die due to been electricuted and been building a huge electric fense surrounding the airport.
5)Birds of all kinds are vulnarable to hitting the planes when land and take off and many times get suck into the engines and also distroying their flying pathways.
6)All types of reptiles, animals and birds sanctuaries, fauna, their feeding grounds are been destroyed and they are taken over by the airport authorities.
7)All the animals, birrds and reptiles breeding grounds, sauna, water resources, free movementrs are been restricted due to this huge fense surrounding the airport.
8)Already mattala is partly dry and partly a wet land. By building and covering over 800 acres of green land with concrete will bring adverse weather patterns and environmental disasters to this already partly dry land.
9)Already all animals pathways, their habitat are restricted and their feeding grounds are restricted, their free movement are restricted and as a result there is a possibility of them becomming extinct in near future.
10)This Mattala fertile virgin land with high soil content is best to grow commercial fruits such as Apples, Oranges, Grapes, Tamarind, Guava, date palm, sawasawa, banana,wood apple, pine apple, papaya and many other low country fruits and vegetables.
At present in the world market a kilo of fruits fetch at same price as meat or fish.
Therefore destroying over 1800 acres of cultivable land to build a concrete airport in the middle of a jungle destroyed all the possibilities of developping this land as an agricultural and environmental and animal friendly commercial agriculture enterprise.
Therefore Building an airport in the middle of the thick jungle is the biggest environmental disaster ever carried our by President Rajapakse in Sri Lanka’s History.
Therefore all the counrty loving citizens should bring a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE FOR DESTROYING OUR ENVIRONMENT, DESTROYING ANIMAL HABITAT, ILLEGALLY KILLING ANIMALS BY BUILDING AN ELECTRIC FENSE, DESTROYING PERMENTALLY OVER 1000 ACRES OF FERTILE LAND COVERING WITH CONCRETE AND BUILDINGS, DESTROYING ENVIRONMENT, NOISE POLLUTION, GREEN HOUSE GAS,DESTROYING NATURE AND DESTROYING THE LIVELYHOOD OF FARMERS.
A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE FOR DESTROYING THE WHOLE VILLEGE OF MATTALA IS A MUST.
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AYMAN / May 14, 2013
GOOD THESIS.
WATCH OUT, YOU MAY BE NOMINATED FOR A “DOCTORATE” (HONORIS COWSAR..)
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