The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka)

¶ 01 Question to the Minister of Environment:

¶ 02 (a) Will he inform this House— (1) the number of wild elephants currently kept at the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground; (ii) the extent of land belonging to it in acres; (iii) the extent of agricultural lands that were located there in acres; and (iv) whether alternative agricultural lands have been provided to the owners in place of the lands they had owned?

¶ 03 (b) Will he also inform this House— (i) whether he is aware that since the above facility has been established across an elephant pass, wild elephants have been compelled to cross other lands due to the unavailability of alternative routes, resulting in damage to crops; (ii) the solutions that will be provided to this issue; (iii) the time that will take to pay compensation for crop damages caused by wild elephants; (iv) whether farmers without deeds or permits for their lands will not be paid compensation for damages to their crops; and (v) if so, the method through which justice is to be accorded to such farmers?