Horses are not native to Sri Lanka. They are imported from neighbouring countries to be used for police work, sporting or riding and esthetic purposes. An isolated population of about 500 feral horses lives in the Delft Island in northern Sri Lanka. These feral horses served hundred years for western conquests and when they left Sri Lanka, horses were left behind in the Delft Island. There are no records of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of horses in Sri Lanka and the present study was carried out to determine the GI parasites in the domesticated (free grazing and stabled) and feral horses. Fresh faecal samples were collected from horses and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively to determine the types of GI parasites and their prevalence and intensity. Qualitative analyses using direct saline and iodine mounts, simple test tube flotation, Sheather's modified sucrose flotation and sedimentation technique were carried out followed by McMaster counting technique for the positive samples. Identification of parasites involved morphological, morphometric and molecular methods. A total of 73 horses were sampled. All the feral horses (n=14) were infected. Among the domesticated horses, free grazers had a significantly higher prevalence of GI infections (46.7%) than the stabled ones (18.2%; Chi square test χ 2 = 4.787, df = 1, p = 0.029). There was no significant difference between helminth and protozoan infections among the three groups of horses (Chi square test, χ 2 = 1.453, df = 2, p = 0.484). Six species of parasites: Anoplocephala sp., Parascaris equorum, Strongylus sp. Isospora sp. Entamoeba sp. and Giardia sp. were recorded. Strongylus infections were recorded in all the feral horses with a high intensity but not in any of the domesticated animals. Strongylus is a highly pathogenic and the most damaging parasite of horses worldwide. It is important to investigate whether Strongylus infection is responsible for the high mortality recorded in the feral horses in the Delft Island especially because the Department of Wildlife Conservation is to declare Delft Island a National Park to conserve the feral horses.

Evaluation ofleast cost and environmentally friendly energy alternatives is essential to overcome the prevailing energy crisis. Dendro thermal energy generation has been identified as one of the best options due to its potential as a low cost and locally available environmentally sound energy source. However. this potential has not been exploited by the people in most of the potential areas which hinder the further expansion of establishing bio-energy plants. With this background, a study was undertaken to evaluate the present status and the potential of gl iricidia (Gliricidia sepium) cultivation in coconut triangle for bio-energy generation.Gliricidia sepium is a multipurpose crop used for wood, fuel wood, fodder and nitrogenous organic fertilizer. The wood is presently used for thermal energy i.e., electricity generation for the national grid (Walapane); electricity generation for off-grid rural electrification (Kakkapalliya, Thanamalwi la);industrial heat application (Madarnpe, Kottawa etc.) and household cooking. The study further attempted to determine the factors associated with the supply of gliricidia for bio-energy generation and attitudes of the coconut growers towards the gliricidia intercropping.Finally, it examined the strengths and weaknesses of the supply as well as demand in order to make sound recommendations to promote gliricidia cultivation in coconut lands for bio-energy generation.Two field surveys were simultaneously conducted to gather the necessary data. The first survey dealt with the existing suppliers in Anarnaduwa area, while the second survey was carried out in Kuliyapitiya area with the potential growers. In addition, a case study was conducted with successful growers.Logit modeling was used to analyze the data. 1The study found that the opportunity costs ofland and labour of the both sites of study were fairly low. Moreover, the investment on agriculture related activities in marginal coconut lands were extremely low. Further the study revealed that even though there was a positive attitude and high demand for gl iricid ia cultivation, there is an inadequate supply to the thermal plants for bio-energy generation. The technical information on growing gliricidia for bioenergy generation had not disseminated into the people of the area mainly due to lack of awareness programmes.The results of the logit analysis revealed that income from coconut, total highland availability and willingness to become a contract fanner are significant variables that influence the willingness to cultivate gliricidia. The case study revealed that the cultivation of gliricidia appear to be economically profitable and technically feasible option given that its low input nature, availability of marginal coconut lands, low opportunity cost of labour and less income opportunities avai lable in these areas, Government involvement and having a reasonable price with stable market for gliricidia will encourage the public to enter into this business whereas effective extension service is a must for making people aw...