The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi

¶ 01 They recently had to treat numerous gunshot elephants within days, reinforcing suspicion of an organized pattern aimed at creating viral media and political agitation. We ask that elephants not be used for narrow politics. We thank all medical teams and agencies—Peradeniya Veterinary Faculty (Prof. Ashoka and team), Defence Ministry and Police, Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha staff, local residents, and Indian veterinarians from the Chandrana/Vanthara institution—who assisted the “Bhathiya” elephant case, though the animal died before they arrived. We will build a wildlife hospital and a mobile veterinary unit and have asked the CID to investigate organized elements, including any trade union actions timed with mortality spikes. This Government has taken unprecedented environmental actions, including declaring multiple forests as reserves. We will defeat conspiracies aimed at undermining conservation.