Environment Ministry orders tough action against elephant killings

15 July 2025 09:38 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

A A A

Colombo, July 15 (Daily Mirror) - The Environment Ministry has directed the Wildlife Conservation Department Director General to take maximum legal action against individuals involved in the shooting of wild elephants, following a rise in such incidents in recent weeks.

The directive was issued by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi during a discussion held at the Ministry this evening. The Minister pointed out the need for immediate and strict enforcement of the law to protect Sri Lanka’s dwindling elephant population.

In addition, it was decided to take firm measures against the installation of illegal electric fences on private lands, which have increasingly become a threat to wildlife. The Ministry also announced plans to revise existing laws relating to the killing of wild animals, with a focus on strengthening legal penalties for offenders.

Amid ongoing efforts to find sustainable solutions to the growing human-elephant conflict, the Ministry and the Department of Wildlife Conservation are identifying high-risk areas for the installation of properly regulated electric fences. These fences aim to safeguard both human settlements and wildlife.

To ensure effective management and maintenance of these fences, the government plans to deploy multi-tasking officers and seek the assistance of the Civil Defence Force. The Ministry said this collaborative approach is expected to significantly reduce human-elephant conflicts across the country.

Comments - 7

Wije Wednesday, 16 July 2025 12:00 AM

Mr Minister review the conduct of top officials in wild life ministry they never respond to emails or phone calls, obviously lethargic team .

0 3

Dr. Dee esquire Wednesday, 16 July 2025 12:18 AM

Will it apply in a indirect way to elephants abused in peraheras ?

0 6

Man Wednesday, 16 July 2025 04:49 AM

In addition, fire arms, explosives for hakka-patas, etc. must be taken over from those areas by having frequent raids. People who are against taking elephants in processions when over 400 elephants are killed annually, not seen, at Bathiya's attendance, with due care.

0 4

lion Wednesday, 16 July 2025 05:34 AM

Action should be taken and the law should be administered rigorously. Forest officers must be appointed to over see this process and at the same time government should take steps to protect the cultivation of farmers from the wild elephants.

2 0

Jayaseeli Christiansen Wednesday, 16 July 2025 11:17 AM

Govt. do something, this is far too much of killing innocent elephants in 100s a year! Legal penalties are not enough, it must go with a prison term for offenders, then only human may understand a bit! This was going on for years in Sri Lanka but no Govt. took a real action to STOP this tragedy!

0 3

NV Jen Wednesday, 16 July 2025 12:27 PM

Successive governments allowed illegal encroachments, cultivation and unlimited logging by their supporters. Wild animals are paying the price for human folly and greed for tusks, skin etc. Many elephants and leopards will continuing to get killed, unless a severe punishment of minimum Rs. 1 million and 10 years of imprisonment is enforced.

0 4

“The Lansi Burgher Gent” Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:37 PM

An utterly inept and incompetent government, which cannot even care for and protect one of our country’s biggest attractions- the wild elephant. Sick sadists at large, given full authority to shoot and kill these innocent animals, by that two rupee fifty cent village idiot of a minster. Shameful. Unlike previous governments, this one is well on its way to becoming one that did bugger all about animal abuse and cruelty. Idiots.

0 1

222

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.