Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the answer is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (1) According to the 2024 wild elephant survey by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the wild elephant population is 7,451.

¶ 03 (ii) Yes. As per: - 1993 records: 1,967 elephants - 2011 census: 5,879 elephants - 2024 survey: at least 7,451 elephants

¶ 04 Thus, the elephant population has increased by about 26.7 per cent since 2011. The overall elephant numbers have increased by 9.2 per cent in the recent period. Therefore, there has been growth in the population.

¶ 05 (b) (1) Human-elephant conflict is reported from 17 of the 25 districts: Hambantota, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, Badulla, Matale, Kandy, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

¶ 06 (ii) In 2025, the Kurunegala District recorded 25 elephant deaths and 12 human fatalities due to the conflict.

¶ 07 (iii) Yes.

¶ 08 (iv) Yes. In Kahalla-Pallekelle Sanctuary, almost all the lowland areas have been encroached. Nevertheless, a considerable number of elephants roam around human settlements and cultivations. What remains effectively as a reserve is only the hill country area within the sanctuary. This area, including traditional elephant habitats and herds, sustains about 150–200 elephants. As elephants frequently move into the surrounding areas identified, human-elephant conflict is continuous there.

¶ 09 (c) Does not arise.