Govt. urged to safeguard animals and nature through scientific, humane policies

A landmark gathering took place in Colombo this Wednesday, bringing together members of the Buddhist clergy, animal welfare organisations, corporate representatives, and citizens. United by a shared sense of urgency, they made a collective appeal to the Government to adopt evidence-based, humane, and sustainable policies to protect animals and nature across Sri Lanka.

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Their message was unequivocal: “Adopt proven scientific methods rather than ad hoc, knee-jerk reactions that are short-lived and often do more harm than good.”

A national emergency: The elephant crisis

Venerable Pagoda Janithawansha Thero opened the event with a powerful appeal to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants, describing them as both a national symbol and a vital part of the country’s ecosystem. Drawing on the latest data, he emphasised the urgent need for scientifically grounded solutions to the worsening Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).

Citing conservation expert Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, the Thero noted that 44% of Sri Lanka’s land area is now shared by humans and elephants—representing 70% of the current elephant range. Despite decades of efforts to confine elephants to protected zones which only cover 30% of their habitat, the strategy has failed, and conflict has escalated.

Electric fencing built and maintained by local communities has been proven globally to reduce these confrontations. This approach allows elephants and humans to avoid direct conflict, easing tensions and saving lives on both sides.

Yet the numbers speak for themselves, revealing a modern-day tragedy unfolding across the island. Between 2015 and 2024, nearly 600 elephants were killed, most of them victims of human-elephant conflict.

These are not just statistics—they are a stark reminder of a collective failure and moral crisis that challenges our values as a society. Already in 2025, with just over seven months gone, 224 elephant deaths have been recorded. If this trend continues, Sri Lanka could see another tragic year of loss for one of its most iconic species.

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