Opposition Leader Calls on Prince William to Support Wild Elephant Conservation

L-R – British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and conservationist Dilum Alagiyawanna during the official handover of the letter addressed to Prince William

In the letter, Premadasa emphasised the escalating human–elephant conflict, which results in over 400 elephant fatalities and more than 150 human deaths each year, and highlighted the urgent need for a science-based national conservation strategy.
The appeal proposes the establishment of a National Elephant Conservation & Coexistence Initiative (NECCI), aimed at uniting conservation experts, local communities, and international partners under a long-term, sustainable framework.
 Issuing a statement, Premadasa said that Sri Lanka’s elephants are not just our national heritage — they are a treasure of global biodiversity. “With His Royal Highness’s leadership and conservation network, we can build a sustainable future for both wildlife and our communities,” the statement read. 
 In his feedback, High Commissioner Patrick said that the United Kingdom greatly values Sri Lanka’s unique wildlife and biodiversity. “Protecting wild elephants — a global treasure — is not only vital for Sri Lanka but for the world. This initiative is both timely and necessary, and I commend the commitment to find lasting solutions for conservation and coexistence,” he added. 
As the next step, the formal request will now be routed through the British High Commission in Colombo for onward transmission to the office of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in London.