Former Speaker and the Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice, Karu Jayasuriya says that authorities need to pay attention to the devastating impact caused by the human-elephant conflict.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka has become the country with the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to clashes between elephants and humans, he said that we are also home to the second highest deaths of humans due to the human-elephant conflict.
Jayasuriya made these comments at a press briefing held today (21). He further said;
"We are hearing many reports of the human-elephant conflict today. But looking at the consequences, it seems that we as a country need to be more vigilant and responsible about this. We studied the valuable research papers and recommendations of Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya and Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, who are eminent scholars in this field.
It is a serious problem that the authorities have continued to ignore the ideas and suggestions made by them.
Sri Lanka has become the country with the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to clashes between elephants and humans. Not only that, Sri Lanka has the second highest deaths of humans caused due to the human-elephant conflict.
This information is illustrated by the studies conducted by Dr. AW Wijeratne, Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando and environmentalist Supun Lahiru, who belong to a group of eminent scholars in our country. As we have been informed, this situation has also come to the notice of a parliamentary committee.
Also, various governments that have come to power in this country over the past few decades have made various promises to the people regarding the human-elephant conflict. But nothing fruitful has come out of it since and we are not satisfied with the steps taken.
Sri Lanka has become the country with the highest number of elephant deaths in the world due to clashes between elephants and humans. Not only that, Sri Lanka has the second highest deaths of humans caused due to the human-elephant conflict.
This information is illustrated by the studies conducted by Dr. AW Wijeratne, Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando and environmentalist Supun Lahiru, who belong to a group of eminent scholars in our country. As we have been informed, this situation has also come to the notice of a parliamentary committee.
The authorities need to understand the impact of these issues highlighted by us on this country. Today, 131 Divisional Secretariats in 19 districts in eight provinces are impacted by the human-elephant conflict. Also, the number of Divisional Secretariats where the human-elephant conflict is rapidly escalating is increasing annually at a record rate.
For example, the human-elephant conflict has spread from Hambantota in the South to the Madurankeni or Vadamarachchi East Divisional Secretariat belonging to the Jaffna District in the North.
There are many world renowned scholars in our country who study the facts and give valuable opinions and recommendations about the issue. Their findings and recommendations have even received special attention internationally.
It is reported that foreign delegations also visited Sri Lanka to study these matters. Sadly, not much attention has been paid to their opinions locally.
Therefore, we urge the relevant authorities to pay immediate attention to minimizing this ongoing devastation.
The views and suggestions of the leading scholars who have conducted research and studies in this field should be taken into consideration," he said.
Jayasuriya observed that Ministries and departments belonging to all sectors such as the Wildlife Department as well as the District Secretariat, the Divisional Secretariat, the Grama Niladhari and the Agriculture should be involved in this matter.
In addition, a Presidential Task Force should be created to provide the necessary facilities and guidance and to oversee the implementation of an official plan," he added.
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