Govt allocates Rs. 1,000 million for elephant conflict control

Colombo, Nov. 7 (Daily Mirror) - The government has allocated an additional Rs. 1,000 million to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to complete the construction of electric fences and undertake related measures to control human-elephant conflict.

Delivering the 2026 budget proposal, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted that the conflict results in the loss of about 80 human lives and over 260 elephants annually, with the highest number of incidents reported in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Ampara. He noted that the issue poses a serious threat to both the rural and national economies.

To strengthen the DWC’s capacity, approval has been granted to procure 294 vehicles and modern communication equipment. An additional Rs. 300 million has been allocated to complete the construction of all electric fences in essential areas, including those that are dilapidated, broken down, partially constructed, or planned.

The government also proposes to provide special training to 5,000 Civil Security Service officers, who will be permanently attached to the DWC to monitor elephant enclosures and reduce conflicts. Rs. 375 million has been set aside for food and fuel allowances for these officers.

Furthermore, Rs. 80 million has been allocated for pasture and water source management to ensure food and water availability for elephants. President Dissanayake added that Rs. 10 million will be used for research initiatives to develop long-term, evidence-based solutions to reduce human-elephant conflicts.