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Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park is a national park on the island of Sri Lanka located away from the largest city, Colombo. It was designated a national park on April 1, 2002 becoming the 15th such area on the island. In the 2004–2005 season more than 10,000 people visited the National Park, generating an income of Rs.100,000 from entrance fees. Along with Minneriya and Girithale BirdLife International have identified Kaudulla as an Important Bird Area. Historically Kaudulla was one of the 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen. Following a period of abandonment it was reconstructed in 1959. It now attracts and supports a variety of plant and animal life, including large mammals, fish and reptiles. Physical features The region receives an annual rainfall of including rain from the north-east monsoon. A dry period persists from April to October. Temperature ranges from to . Many plant and grass species grow well during the rainy season whilst an abundance of food and water, even in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lanka Green Pigeon
The Sri Lanka green pigeon or Ceylon green pigeon (''Treron pompadora'') is a pigeon in the genus ''Treron''. In Sri Lanka, this bird and several other green pigeon are known as ''bata goya'' in the Sinhala language. It is found in the forests of Sri Lanka. Many authorities split the species from the pompadour green pigeon complex. Taxonomy The Sri Lanka green pigeon was formally described in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus's ''Systema Naturae''. He placed it with all the other doves and pigeons in the genus ''Columba'' and coined the binomial name ''Columba pompadora''. Gmelin based his description on the "Pompadour pigeon" that had been described and illustrated in 1776 by the English naturalist Peter Brown. The Sri Lanka green pigeon is now placed with around 30 other green pigeons in the genus ''Treron'' that was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot. The genus name ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blue-green algae, although they are not usually scientifically classified as algae. They appear to have originated in a freshwater or terrestrial environment. Sericytochromatia, the proposed name of the paraphyletic and most basal group, is the ancestor of both the non-photosynthetic group Melainabacteria and the photosynthetic cyanobacteria, also called Oxyphotobacteria. Cyanobacteria use photosynthetic pigments, such as carotenoids, phycobilins, and various forms of chlorophyll, which absorb energy from light. Unlike heterotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria have internal membranes. These are flattened sacs called thylakoids where photosynthesis is performed. Phototrophic eukaryotes such as green plants perform photosynthesis in plast ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lankan Axis Deer
The Sri Lankan axis deer (''Axis axis ceylonensis'') or Ceylon spotted deer is a subspecies of axis deer (''Axis axis'') that inhabits only Sri Lanka. The name chital is not used in Sri Lanka. Its validity is disputed, and some maintain that the axis deer is monotypic (i.e., has no subspecies). Food Sri Lankan axis deer are active primarily during early morning and again during the evening, but they are commonly observed near waterholes anytime. The Sri Lankan axis deer eats primarily grasses, but it also eats fallen fruits and leaves. The Sri Lankan axis deer graze closely with langur, peacock, wild buffalo, and sambar deer. They usually live in groups of between 10 and 60 animals, though herds may include up to 100 animals. Axis deer are important prey for the Sri Lankan leopard. It is also prey for sloth bears, jackals, and crocodiles. Habitat range and conservation status These deer inhabit lowland dry forests, savannas, and shrub lands. Very rarely, these deer inhabi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)
''The Sunday Times'' is a weekly Sri Lankan broadsheet initially published by the now defunct Times Group, until 1991, when it was taken over by Wijeya Newspapers. The paper features articles of journalists such as defence columnist Iqbal Athas and Ameen Izzadeen. The daily counterpart of the Sri Lankan ''Sunday Times'' is the ''Daily Mirror''. History The first ''Times'' newspaper, ''Ceylon Times'' was established in 1846. The Times of Ceylon Ltd, which existed for 131 years, was taken over by the Sri Lankan government in 1977. Ranjith Wijewardena, the son of D. R. Wijewardena, and the chairman of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, purchased the company which was under liquidation, in 1986. However, the newspaper ''The Sunday Times'' came into being in 1991. See also *List of newspapers in Sri Lanka The List of newspapers in Sri Lanka lists every daily and non-daily news publication currently operating in Sri Lanka. The list includes information on whether it is distributed daily or non- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Minneriya Tank
Minneriya tank is a reservoir in Sri Lanka made by an old civilisation; the Anuradhapura Kingdom. King Mahasena Mahasena, also known in some records as Mahasen, was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the country from 277 to 304 CE. He started the construction of large tanks or reservoirs in Sri Lanka, and built sixteen such tanks. After becoming king, Mahasena ... ordered a dam build across the Minneriya River, which made the lake. The tank covered . The Minneriya Tank was built by the great tank builder, King Mahasen (276–303) who ruled in Anuradhapura. This tank occupied 4670 acres and its strong 13-meter-tall dam running along a distance of 2 km held over 20 billion gallons of water. The water arrived from Amban River, the main tributary of Mahaveli River, 48 km away, along the Elahara canal built by King Vasabha (65–109) before his time. This, along with other reservoirs created an irrigation paradise in the east. It was this growth in agriculture that opened up ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan elephant (''Elephas maximus maximus'') is native to Sri Lanka and one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant. It is the type subspecies of the Asian elephant and was first described by Carl Linnaeus under the binomial ''Elephas maximus'' in 1758. The Sri Lankan elephant population is now largely restricted to the dry zone in the north, east and southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants are present in Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park but also live outside protected areas. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia. Human-elephant conflict is increasing due to conversion of elephant habitat to settlements and permanent cultivation. Characteristics In general, Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants and have the highest body point on the head. The tip of their trunk has one finger-like process. Their back is convex or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Panicum Maximum
''Megathyrsus maximus'', known as Guinea grass and green panic grass, is a large perennial bunch grass that is native to Africa and Yemen. It has been introduced in the tropics around the world. It has previously been called ''Urochloa maxima'' and ''Panicum maximum''. It was moved to the genus '' Megathyrsus'' in 2003.''Megathyrsus''. Grass Manual. Flora of North America. Description ''Megathyrsus maximus'' grows naturally in open s, usually under or near s and s and[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Imperata Cylindrica
''Imperata cylindrica'' (commonly known as cogongrass or kunai grass ) is a species of Perennial plant, perennial rhizomatous grass native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, Africa, and southern Europe. It has also been introduced to Latin America, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States. It is a highly flammable pyrophyte, and can spread rapidly by colonizing disturbed areas and encouraging more frequent wildfires. Common names The species is most commonly known in English as "cogongrass", from Castilian Spanish, Spanish ''cogón'', from the Tagalog language, Tagalog and Visayan languages, Visayan ''kugon''. Other common names in English include ''kunai grass'', ''blady grass'', ''satintail'', ''spear grass'', ''sword grass'', ''thatch grass'', ''alang-alang'', ''lalang grass'', ''cotton wool grass'', and ''kura-kura'' , among other names. Description It grows from 0.6 to 3 m (2 to 10 feet) tall. The leaf, leaves are about 2& ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calotropis Gigantea
''Calotropis gigantea'', the crown flower, is a species of ''Calotropis'' native to Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, China, Pakistan, and Nepal. It is a large shrub growing to tall. It has clusters of waxy flowers that are either white or lavender in colour. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small "crown" rising from the center which holds the stamens. The aestivation found in calotropis is valvate i.e. sepals or petals in a whorl just touch one another at the margin, without overlapping. The plant has oval, light green leaves and milky stem. The latex of ''Calotropis gigantea'' contains cardiac glycosides, fatty acids, and calcium oxalate. The roots also contain Calotropone. Pollination This plant plays host to a variety of insects and butterflies. It is the host plant for Hawaii's non-migratory monarch butterflies. ''Calotropis'' is an example of entomophily pollination (pollination by insects) and pollina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chloroxylon
''Chloroxylon'' is a genus of trees in the family Rutaceae. The genus comprises two species, both desired for their wood as high quality tropical timber and heavily exploited. It has rough and spongy outer bark. Timber is very tough and durable. It has a typical unpleasant smell. Species *''Chloroxylon swietenia'' - east Indian satinwood or Sri Lanka satinwood *''Chloroxylon faho ''Chloroxylon'' is a genus of trees in the family Rutaceae. The genus comprises two species, both desired for their wood as high quality tropical timber and heavily exploited. It has rough and spongy outer bark. Timber is very tough and durable. ...'' - Madagascar satinwood References {{Taxonbar, from=Q13055458 Rutaceae genera Rutoideae ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manilkara Hexandra
''Manilkara hexandra'' is a tree species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the family Sapotaceae. It is native to much of south Asia (China: Hainan and southern Guangxi provinces; the Indian subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka; Indo-China: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Its vernacular names vary regionally; for example "Palu", "Palai"(பாலை) in Tamil or "Rayan" (පලු) in Sinhalese. It is locally known as the Khirni tree in parts of Bangladesh and India. In the Tamil language it is called ''Ulakkaippaalai'' or ''Kanuppaalai.'' ''Manilkara hexandra'' is a slow-growing but fairly large evergreen species. It grows in tropical and temperate forests. The tree typically attains some 12 to 25 metres tall and one to three metres in trunk circumference. The bark is grayish and rough. The wood is hard, durable, and heavy; the density is variously reported as ranging from about 0.83 to 1.08 tonnes per cubic metre, partly depending on the degree of drying. It ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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