The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Minister, thank you for the answers. Practically, in our district the elephant population exceeds forest capacity, pushing elephants into towns and fields. Recently, elephants entered Kokkatticholai; officers cited lack of vehicles and drivers. In Siththandi, elephants attacked two children who fortunately survived. In Batticaloa there are only three Wildlife Department offices (Kallady HQ, Kiran and Vellaveli), whereas Ampara has many more offices and personnel. Batticaloa faces shortages of officers, guards, drivers, and vehicles. The previously announced 100,000 jobs programme that was to assign staff did not materialize. People’s lives and livelihoods are at stake; please urgently increase Batticaloa Wildlife offices, officers, guards, vehicles and drivers to reduce loss of life and property. Other countries cull overabundant species; I do not advocate culling elephants, but request exploration of scientific population-control mechanisms. Kindly act promptly in Batticaloa and other affected districts.