The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT

¶ 02 Madam Presiding Member, at the Adjournment today, I move the following:

¶ 03 “Due to the human-elephant conflict, in recent times valuable human lives as well as elephants have continuously perished prematurely. In addition, houses and property including cultivation lands are being destroyed frequently. The latest incident is the unfortunate death of a father and his daughter owing to an elephant attack in Wilgamuwa, Hettipola. Studies reveal that in Sri Lanka, over 70% of the estimated 5,500 to 6,000 wild elephant population live outside protected areas managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. In this context, although various measures have been taken to mitigate the human-elephant conflict (such as elephant fences), due to improper functioning, lack of fences where needed, and poor maintenance, the expected outcomes have not been achieved. Therefore, I propose to this august House that a sustainable solution be implemented so that this conflict will no longer adversely affect the people, elephants, or the national economy.”

¶ 04 Today I speak for two voiceless groups. Elephants do not vote; farmers have little say. We keep hearing about this conflict between farmers and wild elephants. In my Matale District, in Wilgamuwa, a few days ago a father and daughter tragically lost their lives due to an elephant attack. We express our sympathies to all families who have lost loved ones to this conflict. Let me clarify the current situation in Matale. I obtained data from the Bakamuna Wildlife Office and table that document in the Library.

¶ 05 In 2025-2026, 14 elephants and 12 humans have died, and 50 incidents of property damage were reported. Compensation payments, except the Rs. 100,000 paid at death, are long delayed. In Wilgamuwa, compensation for incidents over the last two years has still not been paid. About 100 of the 539 GN divisions in Matale face elephant threats. This conflict extends nationwide. We need a sustainable solution based on a scientific approach. Old answers will not solve a long-standing problem; we need new ones.

¶ 06 About 82% of land area is inhabited by people; about 62% by elephants; and 44% overlaps. The conflict arises in this 44%. Key issues include land use. We have discussed global solutions, but implementation is lacking. I propose a proper land-use plan. We cannot abandon agriculture, but must adopt scientific methods to gain higher yields from less land.

¶ 07 Regarding elephant fences, are timber posts suitable? Elephants push them over. We need alternatives and proper standards for electric fences, and better regulation. Wildlife field infrastructure is weak; there are no suitable vehicles; since 2015 few have been provided. Recruitment has been inadequate since 2019; ammunition shortages exist. These problems compound the conflict; we need solutions.

¶ 08 Finally, under the guidance of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Mr. Hemanta Withanage, and Prof. Vishakha Suriyabandara submitted recommendations to resolve the human-elephant conflict. Due to time constraints, I table those recommendations in the Library.

¶ 09 Let us examine these and act systematically. Can the Government alone regulate and maintain fences? Many countries use multiple approaches. While maintaining state oversight, we should establish a robust institutional framework to resolve this problem.