The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I address this question to the Hon. Minister of Environment.

¶ 02 (a) i. Has a census of wild elephants in Sri Lanka been conducted? If so, what is the current population? ii. How many elephants died in 2025 due to various human activities? iii. If proper measures are not taken to address the human-elephant conflict, the tourism industry will collapse and the economy will be affected. The previous Government took no action; what measures is the present Government taking?

¶ 03 (b) If not, why?

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, according to the Environmental Organizations Collective, around 5,400 acres in the Palukadawala—Nakolagane area near Rajamaha Viharaya in the Ahetuwewa Divisional Secretariat are proposed to be released for cultivation. It would be better to limit it to about 400 acres. Also, near the Getadiwula bridge between Ambanpola and Galgamuwa, elephants frequently cross, and due to accidents at that point, a Police post should be established for continuous monitoring. Most elephant deaths occur in the Galgamuwa area under the Minister in charge of Police and in the Yapahuwa area under the Minister of Agriculture who initially opposed firing elephant crackers; their attention must be drawn.

¶ 05 Since elephant-train collisions are frequent, especially with the “Meenagaya” night train, the Government should implement special lighting/ signaling systems to minimize accidents. Environmental organizations allege that on the Meenagaya service between Madakalapuwa (Batticaloa) and Mahawa, the driver has sometimes operated while intoxicated; appointing an assistant driver would be practical.

¶ 06 Now the Government claims the Opposition is killing elephants. Recently, about 12 elephants died after being struck by the Meenagaya. By the Government’s logic, perhaps that driver is also from the Opposition; if so, he should have been removed years ago. Electric fences must be built to standards; in some fences, high-capacity currents pose threats to elephants. The supply of poison used for hakka patas (jaw-bombs) to kill animals must also be investigated.

¶ 07 At this moment, I must mention the famed tusker “Kavantissa.” As that animal frequently strays into areas with illicit activity, a special task force should provide it protection.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member, in 2025 the country was governed entirely by the National People’s Power Government. Due to human-elephant conflict, 409 elephants have died so far, affecting tourism. Even in advanced European countries, elephants cannot be seen; in Asia and Africa they can, including Sri Lanka. Therefore, the current level of elephant death is a major issue.

¶ 09 The Meenagaya driver changes at Mahawa. From Mahawa to Batticaloa another driver operates. During this driver’s operations alone, 12 elephants have died after collisions. This driver is 67 years old and still driving the Mahawa–Batticaloa leg. With 409 elephant deaths in 2025 alone, a national treasure is being lost. In Galgamuwa and Yapahuwa we have seen forest clearing and felling of boralu (bamboo), depriving elephants of habitat. We are not merely blaming this Government; this has continued for years. If this continues, in 10–15 years there may be no elephants in Sri Lanka. We are all responsible. Environmentalists have fought continuously, even facing transfers and reprisals for speaking out.

¶ 10 Tourists come to Sri Lanka to see elephants. Different organizations do counts, but there is no consolidated official count readily presented. The recent killing of a blind elephant by fire at Migintale is among many such incidents.

¶ 11 The highest number of elephant deaths has been in 2025—over 409. If a responsible Government does not protect elephants, tourist arrivals will fall. The value of our elephant heritage cannot be measured in dollars. I raise this at Adjournment so all can unite in 2026 to reduce elephant deaths and protect them.