Rashmitha Diwyanjalee

Joined: July 23, 2024
Articles: 34

Feature, Pollution

New Hope for PFAS Cleanup: Researchers Unveil Bacterium That Degrades Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University at Buffalo have unveiled a potential game-changer in addressing one of the most stubborn environmental challenges: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). They discovered that Labrys portucalensis F11, an aerobic bacterium, can biodegrade…

Feature, Human-Animal conflict

Can Technology Solve SL’s Human-Elephant Conflict? Electric Fencing Offers Hope

The Sri Lankan government has launched a bold and transformative initiative to decisively address the escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC) by deploying a cutting-edge electric fencing system. Spearheaded by the National Engineering Research and Development Center (NERD), this groundbreaking effort is…

Rashmitha Diwyanjalee
February 10, 2025

Climate Change Impact, Feature

Sri Lanka’s Rice Fields in Crisis: How Climate Change is Reshaping the Nation’s Staple Crop

Sri Lanka’s rice production is a cornerstone of its agriculture, providing sustenance and livelihood to millions. However, the increasing impacts of climate change pose significant challenges to this vital sector. Current Status of Rice Production Rice is cultivated during two…

Carbon Offsetting, Feature

Carbon Trading in Sri Lanka: Current Status, Challenges, and Path Forward

Imagine a bustling marketplace, not for spices or textiles but for carbon credits—an intangible commodity vital for the fight against climate change. This is the world of carbon trading, where every transaction reduces greenhouse gas emissions, bringing us closer to…

Climate Change Impact, Feature

Brewing Challenges: How Climate Change is Reshaping Sri Lanka’s Coffee Landscape

Climate change is reshaping agriculture worldwide, and Sri Lanka’s specialty coffee sector is no exception. The cultivation of Coffee Arabica, renowned for its superior flavour profile and demanding environmental requirements, is particularly vulnerable to erratic weather patterns. Rising global temperatures,…

Rashmitha Diwyanjalee
January 13, 2025

Climate Change Impact, Feature

The Impact of Climate Change on Sri Lanka’s Tourism: Challenges and Adaptations

In 2023, Sri Lanka welcomed 1,487,303 international tourists, a remarkable 106.5% increase from the previous year. This surge generated approximately 2.07 billion USD in foreign exchange earnings, with a direct contribution to GDP of 2.5%. The sector also supported total…

Climate Change Impact, Feature

How Climate Change is Reshaping Sri Lanka’s Salt Industry

Sri Lanka’s salt industry, deeply rooted in the economic fabric of regions like Puttalam and Hambantota, is confronting an unprecedented challenge as climate change redefines the region’s weather patterns. Traditionally thriving in arid, dry zones, the industry is now grappling…

Biodiversity, Climate Change

The Human-Monkey Conflict: Addressing the Toque Macaque Dilemma in Sri Lanka

In recent years, the toque macaque, or “rilawa,” has become the focal point of heated debates in Sri Lanka. These primates, endemic to the island, have been labeled as significant culprits in crop damage, causing substantial economic losses for farmers.…

Rashmitha Diwyanjalee
December 17, 2024

Fact Check, Nature

Fact-Check: Did Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf Desert Really Turn into a Snowy Wonderland?

Claim: Viral social media posts claim that Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf desert was recently transformed into a snowy landscape, with photos and videos showing sand dunes covered in what appears to be snow. The posts suggest that this unusual phenomenon was…

Climate Goals, Feature

Strategic Land Use: Hidden Ace for a Climate Resilient Planet

Land is more than just a resource—it’s a lifeline in the fight against climate change. How we manage the Earth’s limited surface will determine whether we succeed in curbing global warming, feeding a growing population, and preserving the planet’s rich…