No more 'Wal Ali'

26 May 2011 08:30 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Wild Life Department had decided to use the expression ‘Wana Ali’ when referring to wild elephants in Sinhala. This supersedes the former term ‘Wal Ali,’ said Agrarian Services Minister S. M. Chandrasena in Parliament yesterday.

The minister said that a group of journalists had recently pointed out the need to replace the present term as a mark of respect for these animals.
“We have now given due respect to wild elephants. In Sinhala, they will be called Wana Ali not Wal Ali as in the past,” he said.

He observed that there had been a rapid increase in the wild elephant population and that it had risen from 2000 in 1990 to 6000 now.
“Yet we know the forest cover has shrunk. As a result, human-elephant conflicts have been created and harms both,” he said.

He said that three separate areas had been demarcated (in Veheragala, Horuwapotana and Maduru-Oya) to confine elephants in, in order to end human-elephant conflicts.

The minister made these observations in response to a question by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa, who stressed the need to have a national level programme to protect wild animals in general and wild elephants in particular. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 19

Chanaka Aruna Munasi Friday, 27 May 2011 07:29 AM

Brave Government. Completely solved "Wal Ali" Problem

I Hussein Saturday, 28 May 2011 09:05 AM

Do the elephants know this?
Everything is a 'Wanayak'

Leon Jayatunge Saturday, 28 May 2011 06:15 AM

Wise decision. Government wants to reserve this title in order to use for politicians.

perera Saturday, 28 May 2011 05:45 AM

most of the ' WAL ' animals are in parliament

Prabath K Saturday, 28 May 2011 01:39 AM

watch out....there will be another protest from '' wal" ura & " wal" hawa to change their names....

citizen1 Friday, 27 May 2011 11:47 AM

Wal = Wild. What's the big deal?

The UNDERTAKER Friday, 27 May 2011 10:09 AM

LET THE WAL REST IN PEACE IN THE JUNGLE

Ane Anichchan Friday, 27 May 2011 09:17 AM

Also, we need to introduce "Hora Ali" and "Sudu Ali" living in the Society.

Dr.Wimal_Modawansa Friday, 27 May 2011 09:14 AM

Problem solved.We have no "Wal Ali" in Sri Lanka subject to a report from UN.

Minister Friday, 27 May 2011 08:11 AM

Do you mean to say that they are only in UNP now?

Dr.Wimal_Modawansa Friday, 27 May 2011 03:55 AM

In our country this is a prioroty.

Baristus Jayatilleke Friday, 27 May 2011 06:20 AM

really? where?

asoka Friday, 27 May 2011 06:19 AM

ok good. now we can't just throw away the "wal" part...so i suggest instead we can use that "wal" word to any politician who's behavior is bad...

Geriatrix Friday, 27 May 2011 04:59 AM

i wont be surprised if "Ela Haraka" and "Mee Haraka" will be changed as well!!

malkanthi Friday, 27 May 2011 05:00 AM

Why going to the extent of 'Wana Ali’ ‘Wal Ali’? Listen to some sinhala FM channels, some politicians, and know the cheap language they use.

Bumba Friday, 27 May 2011 04:35 AM

Good, the "Wal" animals!!!!

Heynaya Friday, 27 May 2011 04:48 AM

Avoid human-elephant conflicts and respect all.

ponna siva Friday, 27 May 2011 04:18 AM

Respect and rights for wild animals. But no respect for humans belonging to another community, let alone rights.

lankaman Friday, 27 May 2011 04:07 AM

In the future "Val" will be reserved solely as an honorific title.

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No more 'Wal Ali'

Comments - 19

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