Over 5 million toque monkeys in Sri Lanka: Recent census reveals

25 September 2025 11:13 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, Sept. 25 (Daily Mirror) - The recent census has revealed that there are 5.1 million toque monkeys, 1.7 million other monkeys in Sri Lanka while it has been found that the population of Grizzled Giant squirrels is 2.6 million.

The population of peacocks is 4.2 million.

Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne who revealed this information said only Rs 3.8 million has been spent for the census.

Comments - 17

just telling Thursday, 25 September 2025 11:21 AM

Can we sell 80% of these monkeys to other countries so we can get some revenue

3 14

Mr. Hanuma Thursday, 25 September 2025 11:58 AM

ship them to China for experiments; this is the best available option. Sadly, Sri Lanka has not realized the repercussions the country will have to face if Rabies start spreading rapidly

1 8

Zarook Thursday, 25 September 2025 07:23 PM

Have they missed Diyawannawa, Pachawatte and the Pacha Kumara Relanayake?

0 2

Dr Naga Thursday, 25 September 2025 09:31 PM

5 LAKH MONKEYS ARE TOO MUCH IN SL. THIS IS 50 LIKH.

0 3

Concerned citizen Thursday, 25 September 2025 12:07 PM

High time farmers are given the necessary facilities to protect their crops,the monkey population will quadruple, in no time, action needs to be initiated immediately,if this is done ,we can witness,a much higher harvest ,and income generation for the poor farmers

1 9

Rana Thursday, 25 September 2025 12:26 PM

These numbers are extremely high for a small island like SL where majority survives on small crops. In Aussie where I live, they would swiftly use controlled culling to bring down animal populations to sustainable level. National Pacha Peramuna not seemed brave for such acts, very much like their predecessors

3 10

NV Jen Thursday, 25 September 2025 02:24 PM

Why not tell this to the blue cross and other so called animal lovers who are against such moves at the expense of ordinary people who have to face rabies threat while the farmers who have to battle with unpredictable climatic conditions have also to fight against the destructive monkeys.

0 3

Asif Thursday, 25 September 2025 02:09 PM

So in total 6.8-6.9 million mokeys in Sri Lanka! I seem to remember the 6.9 million figure coming up in the past to do with election voting? Yep definitely 6.9 million monkeys in Sri Lanka.

1 11

ELEPHANT Thursday, 25 September 2025 02:27 PM

WHAT ABOUT BALANCE 1.6 million?

0 0

Kandy man Thursday, 25 September 2025 04:11 PM

Minister Lal Kantha said that highest number of monkeys are found in Kandy district. Please ship them or transfer them to the island that you want to establish .its a menace that we suffer on daily basis

0 3

Umar Perera Thursday, 25 September 2025 06:02 PM

That was not a proper census because the process was flawed. At 6.9 million, means that there are 1 monkey per 4 or 5 humans in the island. Obviously that's not the case.

0 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 25 September 2025 06:45 PM

So, next election can be held because there will be additional 5 million votes for the Pacha party.

0 2

james Thursday, 25 September 2025 07:14 PM

How about a census to count disable veterans living in the street?

0 1

james Thursday, 25 September 2025 07:14 PM

How about a census to count disable veterans living in the street?

0 1

Punchi Banda Thursday, 25 September 2025 08:50 PM

The census very conveniently forgot to include the ones in our parliament. This will make the figures much higher !

1 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Friday, 26 September 2025 01:50 AM

Plus 6.8 million who voted in September and some 2.8 million became humans 4 months later. More will become humans but cannot beat this 5 million new number as there is no way to convert them so 5 million new votes.

0 0

monkey see monkey do Friday, 26 September 2025 02:21 AM

69000001 if you count Dr Tissa Fernando.

0 0

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