Multinational Garment Brands Accused of Profiting from Sri Lankan Workers' Struggle

The article discusses the plight of garment workers in Sri Lanka amidst a severe economic crisis and how multinational brands are profiting while workers struggle. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) has criticized these brands for not paying fair wages or providing support during the crisis. Sri Lanka's garment industry is a major exporter, and workers have faced job losses, underpayment, and lack of basic necessities. Despite the industry's importance to the economy, workers' wages have remained stagnant since 2018. The CCC's research report calls on brands to take responsibility for the workers' welfare and to pay an Emergency Relief Allowance to help them through the crisis. The report also highlights the failure of brands to pay over $300 million in wages and bonuses. The article emphasizes the need for brands to support workers who are the backbone of Sri Lanka's economy.

Limbless amphibian species found

A new species of limbless amphibian, Gegeneophis primus, has been discovered in the Western Ghats area of Kerala, South India, by a UK-Indian team of scientists. The pink, 168mm long creature was found in moist soil by the University of Kerala, London's Natural History Museum, and the Central University at Kasargod. The discovery, reported in the journal Zootaxa, highlights the potential diversity of caecilian amphibians in the region and their vulnerability to human activities, although the new species is not currently under immediate threat.

Mining to blame for islands to sink beneath waves

Two small islands in the Gulf of Mannar, located between India and Sri Lanka, have submerged due to extensive coral reef mining, according to experts. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, a protected area, is home to diverse marine ecosystems and species. Illegal coral mining, which ceased after environmental laws were enacted in 2002, is cited as the primary cause of the islands' disappearance, with global sea level rise playing a minor role. The region's rich biodiversity and its significance for local fishermen's livelihoods are highlighted, along with ongoing conservation efforts.