The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Environment, I provide the answer.

¶ 02 (a) (i), (ii) Accepted. The Elephant Management Reserve was declared on 09.04.2021. At the time of declaration, there were already authorized and unauthorized constructions and cultivations within the reserve.

¶ 03 (b) (i) To date, a comprehensive survey has not been completed; however, under the present Government a systematic survey will be carried out. Instructions have already been issued to commence a coordinated survey with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the District Secretary, and other relevant agencies. This process will commence expeditiously.

¶ 04 (ii) Short-term: The Department of Wildlife Conservation will take legal action against illegal constructions undertaken after the reserve was declared.

¶ 05 Long-term: Discussions will be held with institutions holding title to relevant lands to remove such activities. If not resolved satisfactorily, legal action will be taken against illegal activities.

¶ 06 (iii) Yes, we are aware.

¶ 07 (iv) Elephant deaths (by Divisional Secretariat Division within Hambantota District), 2015 to 28.02.2025 — total 142. The minimum recorded was 5 (in 2015 and 2016) and the maximum 21 (in 2020 and 2022).

¶ 08 Human deaths due to elephant attacks from 2015 to 28.02.2025 — total 65. The minimum recorded was 2 (in 2015) and the maximum 13 (in 2023).

¶ 09 (c) Not applicable.