Court of Appeal Considers Petitions: Elephant-Train Collision cases heard on World Environment Day

On  June 05 2025, coinciding with World Environment Day, the Court of Appeal, in a division comprising of His Lordship Justice Karalliyadde, heard two writ applications bearing nos. CA WRIT 318/2025 and CA WRIT 319/2025, pertaining to the ongoing issue of elephant-train collisions in Sri Lanka.

CA Writ 318/2025 was supported by Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, President’s Counsel, together with Ms. Swasha Fernando, Ms. Chayangi Kannangara, and Mr. Sayuru Kariyawasam, Attorneys-at-Law, instructed by Paul Ratnayeke Associates. CA Writ 319/2025 was supported by Mr. Dilshan Jayasuriya, Attorney-at-Law, appearing with Mr. Dushinka Nelson and Mr. Anish De Silva, Attorneys-at-Law, also instructed by Paul Ratnayeke Associates.
The applications were filed in response to the fatal elephant-train collision that occurred near the Kaudulla National Park in the Gal Oya area in February 2025. The Petitioners allege that the relevant administrative authorities have failed to discharge their legal obligations under the applicable laws, which have contributed to the frequent occurrence of incidents of this nature, claiming the lives of numerous elephants every year. Having considered the submissions of the Petitioners’, His Lordship directed that Notices be issued on the Respondents.
The Petitioners have sought judicial intervention to formulate and implement a preventive and mitigatory framework, under the control and management of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Sri Lanka Railways to prevent such disasters across the island.