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SF withdraws his order to remove Sinharaja elephants

17 June 2018 08:01 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Minister of Wild Life Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today revoked his original decision to remove two elephants from World Heritage site Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Director General of Wild Life M. G. C. Suriyabandara said the Minister ordered to temporarily halt removing the elephants.

Despite President Maithripala Sirisena's order not to remove the two elephants on Friday (15), Wild Life officers continued search operations to find the two elephants in order to relocate them to some other place under Minister Fonseka’s guidance.

A special team of Wild Life Officers was deployed to Sinharaja Forest with necessary tools like ropes, chains and other tools to load the elephants. 
Instead of Wild Life Veterinary surgeons, Air Force Veterinary surgeons were deployed to the place with anesthetics to sedate the elephants.
Minister’s stance was to remove the elephants for the safety of the people of the area despite the order of the President.

According to the Minister’s order, the operation to catch the elephants was underway this morning.

Meanwhile, a protest organized against the removal of elephants was held in Rambuka village near the Sinharaja Forest today with the participation of professionals, environmentalists and residents of the area.

When inquired of this from the Assistant Director of Wild Life Prasanna Wimaladasa in Uva and Southern Provinces, he said the operation of catching the elephants was stopped under the instructions of the Minister of Wild Life and the Director General. (Ajithlal Shanthaudaya)


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  Comments - 20

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  • Chanaka Sunday, 17 June 2018 09:09 PM

    Mr. President...this matter is over to you.

    Ceylon Sunday, 17 June 2018 09:44 PM

    Sirisena think he is the president.

    Jagath Leanage Sunday, 17 June 2018 09:52 PM

    With this , we can be happy for what has happened in 2010.

    Dimuthu Mendis Sunday, 17 June 2018 10:52 PM

    Good if he noted that he can't even catch an elephant without the consent of the President. No need to say any thing about the war against terrorism...

    Doratupala Sunday, 17 June 2018 11:32 PM

    What a mess!Some idiots thought this was CHESS!:)

    De Silva Sunday, 17 June 2018 11:33 PM

    Hereafter let the protestors take care of the villagers

    Haramanis Sunday, 17 June 2018 11:57 PM

    As usual SF going off at a tangent!! . Only wild elephants can hold him - not Sirisena

    Wele Vidane Monday, 18 June 2018 12:32 AM

    You can't win against elephant or tiger without President.

    jim Monday, 18 June 2018 05:59 PM

    President power should be demolish

    Niran Monday, 18 June 2018 12:51 AM

    Was the original decision to remove the elephants your solution to the human-elephant conflict?

    Barana Monday, 18 June 2018 01:25 AM

    So he says he did the war all by himself and the Rajapakshas did nothing... Apparently he cannot even remove two elephants against executive orders from president. Wonder how he would have done the war under My3 or RW... ???

    Ceylon Monday, 18 June 2018 01:58 AM

    Look at these disturbs.one is trying to do works then sirisena stoped it.this idiots republic need a honest strong man to fix these stupidnessess.

    Mike Monday, 18 June 2018 02:21 AM

    Now the ball is with sirisena’s court,,, Make sure these elephants don’t take civilians life,,, these wild life activists from Colombo will sleep in peace while locals left to live in fear,,,,

    Ram Monday, 18 June 2018 02:48 AM

    President is poking his finger into the directions of his Ministers to their staff, but refrain from looking into the misdeeds that takes place in the Ministries

    Unchukun Monday, 18 June 2018 04:58 AM

    He should have withdrawn this relocation before the President intervened. We do not want ministers of this nature. The deputy is even worse. God save (if there is one) the wild animals.

    TMA Monday, 18 June 2018 05:03 AM

    He has to understand that dealing with animals is not the same as dealing with terrorists. You can't just REMOVE them

    Dee Monday, 18 June 2018 05:54 AM

    The president will change plans, as usual. And as each and every other decision.

    S.P.RAMKUMAR Monday, 18 June 2018 06:24 AM

    Elephants have to be allowed to be their native forest,

    Waco Monday, 18 June 2018 07:43 AM

    SF, please do not take hasty decisions. Take time to think. Patience pays immensely.

    Freddy Yong Monday, 18 June 2018 09:31 AM

    Mr. President, you are like a 'kussi amma'. Why do you bend at every whim and fancy of every Tom, Dick and Harriet. If FM Fonseka is given a job, allow him to do it, his way. The FM is not a man to take things lying down like some of the ninnies in your cabinet in the likes of Sagala Ratnayake.


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