The school of short-finned pilot whales washed ashore at Panadura, 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Colombo, since Monday afternoon in the biggest-ever mass stranding of whales on the island.
With a large majority, the parliament approved a constitutional amendment that will concentrate powers in the president and allow duel citizens to hold political office, which could strengthen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's familial political clout.
Compensation of $1.9 million is also being sought from the owners for assistance given to the vessel since it caught fire and the cost of any environmental clean-up and damage.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa submitted a proposal that legislates against the slaughter of cattle across the island nation – a decision that could inflame ethno-religious tensions.
The blaze was finally brought under control, but a trail of diesel has been spilled across the sea.
India sent fresh supplies of firefighting chemicals to help battle a new blaze on a supertanker carrying 270,000 tonnes of crude oil, which has been ablaze for days off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's navy said rescuers were still spraying foam on the vessel while the Indian Coast Guard said there was no oil slick.
Reviving a stagnant economy and managing the country’s relations with major powers will be important priorities for the new Rajapaksa government.
Early lockdown, fast tracking of Covid-19 suspects and financial intervention in key areas, are the most significant highlights of their success story.
The economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic means China alone cannot bailout an indebted Colombo.
Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka People’s Front won 145 seats in the 225-member parliament, securing nearly the two-thirds majority required to make constitutional changes that could strengthen dynastic rule in the country.
Close to 70 percent of eligible Sri Lankans voted in Wednesday's election to elect a 225-member parliament, shrugging off coronavirus fears.
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