David Pieris Group donates streetlights to mitigate human-elephant conflict

Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and social welfare, the David Pieris Group has donated 500 streetlights to the Maho Pradeshiya Sabha to help minimise the human-elephant conflict that has long affected both communities and wildlife in the region.

The Maho and Ambanpola areas, home to the well-known elephant ‘Kavanthissa’, who has some of the longest tusks in Sri Lanka, have frequently witnessed incidents where both people and elephants are harmed. 

To promote safer coexistence, over 3,000 streetlamps have been installed across the area in recent years to light up the roads at night. However, nearly 500 of these lights had become non-functional, increasing risks for night-time road users and wildlife.

Responding to this need, the David Pieris Group Social Welfare Committee fully funded the donation of new streetlights. The initiative not only enhances road safety but also contributes to protecting elephants by reducing sudden human-elephant encounters after dark. At a ceremony held at the Maho Pradeshiya Sabha, Kosala Ratnayake, Deputy Chief Officer – Operations, David Pieris Motor Company (Lanka) Limited and member of the David Pieris Group Social Welfare Committee, officially handed over the stock of streetlights to Sumedha Kumara Herath, Chairman of the Maho Pradeshiya Sabha.

Appreciating the donation, Sumedha Kumara Herath, Chairman, Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha remarked, “At night, elephants often cross the roads, and streetlamps are vital for both motorists and villagers to see them clearly. This initiative helps protect lives, both human and elephant, and promotes harmony between the community and wildlife.”

Through such initiatives, the David Pieris Group continues to champion projects that balance human needs with environmental conservation, reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to building safer, more sustainable communities.