The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 This mentions public participation in every instance. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, within the technical and other measures related to this, we attempted to use public participation. Criticizing it without knowing that is not appropriate, I think.

¶ 02 Mr. Speaker, after we received these reports on the 6th of last February, we identified that there are a number of locations in Sri Lanka where wild elephants collide with trains. Those locations have been identified. Among them, a very special place is the Gal Oya Junction on the Polonnaruwa District border, where an elephant recently collided with a train.

¶ 03 Accordingly, over the last five years the area with the highest number of elephant-train fatalities has been identified as around the 133-milepost on the Batticaloa Line at Thalapathakanda. Further, from January 2009 to December 2024, elephant-train collisions have been reported. All information related to this is available with the Department of Railways and the Ministry of Environment. As we discussed the proposed solutions again yesterday, I will not take much time and will conclude presenting my views, with the Ministry’s leave.

¶ 04 Mr. Speaker, on the very evening of the incident we held a broad discussion with the Ministry of Environment, environmentalists, the Railways Department, independent environmentalists, and especially locomotive drivers and senior locomotive drivers, and identified a set of immediate and long-term solutions. I will not go into them due to time. About 20 primary reasons for elephants being struck and killed by trains have been identified. I table that document.

¶ 05 Mr. Speaker, we have proposed a set of short- and medium-term solutions. A very clear method known to the Railways Department for 160 years is to carefully clear the vegetation on both sides of the track to improve visibility. There is definitive evidence for this. After doing so on the Mannar Line, there have been no elephant collisions with trains in recent years. Therefore, these are not quantum physics-type solutions, but common-sense, simple steps. If the vegetation is removed and the track sides are kept clear, locomotive drivers can properly observe the track. That is recommendation No. 10.

¶ 06 Second is to retrofit existing bridges and culverts along the line with adequate height and width to allow elephants to pass.

¶ 07 Third is to involve local communities in this task. Elephants do not move everywhere at all times; villagers know where elephants are. Then it is not difficult for them to provide information. Thus, community participation is important.

¶ 08 Mr. Speaker, regarding the incident where elephants were killed by the Mihintale train, the elephants were traveling approximately 450 to 500 meters along the track seeking to cross. The elephants can hear the train earlier. They are sensitive to ultrasound frequencies, so they sense the train’s approach early. Even so, they have no room to move aside at that location because there is no space along the track. We all saw the photos. There was nothing the elephants could do at that narrow cutting when the train came, leading to that tragic incident.

¶ 09 A discussion is being held now at the Kaudulla Wildlife Office. After that, we hope, in line with environmental regulations, to carefully widen that stretch. Then, once they sense a train approaching, elephants will have the ability to step away from the track. We are also discussing installing sensors. Mr. Speaker, we are making maximum efforts to implement these measures quickly to minimize elephant deaths. We also ask the public to share with us any better solutions they may know.

¶ 10 Thank you very much.

¶ 11 Document tabled: 1. Elephants on the track are not visible at curves. 2. Elephants standing near the line step onto the track as the train approaches. 3. Even when elephants are sighted, the train’s braking distance is long due to its mass. 4. Dense low undergrowth (shrubs, mana, illuk) on both sides of the track obscures elephants. 5. Headlights on some locomotives are inadequate for the required illuminated zone. 6. If changing the operating end is not possible on some locomotives (long hood), forward visibility is reduced; some terminals lack facilities to turn locomotives. 7. Gradients make it difficult to maintain low speed limits with heavy trains. 8. Elephants lying in ground depressions and hollows are not properly visible. 9. In track cuttings, elephants cannot move away quickly when a train approaches. 10. During monsoon evenings, when rainwater flows onto the track, heat-induced mist reduces visibility. 11. Elephants habituated to normal train times may enter the line at other hours. 12. Adult elephants enter the line to protect calves standing on the track when a train approaches. 13. Where rocks between sleepers impede crossing, elephants cannot quickly step off when a train comes. 14. Where the track is elevated above ground, elephants find it difficult to descend quickly. 15. On curves, when the main headlight falls off-axis, elephants may think the train is coming at them and step onto the line. 16. Fences and other barriers (electric or man-made) along one side make it hard for elephants to get off the track. 17. When driving elephants away from villages or paddy fields with crackers or shots, they may rush onto the line ignoring trains. 18. Elephants may regard the train or horn as an intruder into their territory and charge. 19. During the rainy season, elephants enter the line to graze on the fresh grasses and move along the track. 20. Passengers’ food litter attracts elephants onto the line.