Mitigating human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka

EVERYTHING on this earth is a creation of nature. As humans, we have no right to destroy what nature has created. The decision to sustain or eliminate any species or element of the environment lies with nature itself. For instance, dinosaurs once roamed the earth, but their extinction was a natural process, not a human decision.

- By Venerable Pagoda Janithawansha Thero

Historically, people coexisted with animals in their natural environments without causing significant harm. Sri Lanka, once known as the "Peradiga Dhanyagaraya" (Eastern Granary), had a thriving elephant population-estimated at around 70,000. Our ancestors successfully cultivated paddy while living alongside these majestic creatures. Elephants were even used in construction, such as building lakes and bunds, and in warfare by the ancient kings. During the colonial period, the elephant was used as the symbol of the railway department, underscoring its importance in our culture and heritage.