February 06, Colombo (LNW): In a troubling update presented in Parliament on February 6, Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi revealed that Sri Lanka has witnessed a staggering 3,477 wild elephant fatalities over the past nine years, a direct consequence of the ongoing human-elephant conflict in the country.
This alarming figure underscores the severity of the issue that continues to threaten both the nation’s elephant population and the lives of its citizens.
The Minister’s report showed that from 2015 to 2019, 1,466 elephants lost their lives, but the situation worsened in recent years, with the number of fatalities increasing to 2,011 between 2020 and 2024.
This escalation highlights the growing challenges of managing the delicate balance between conservation efforts and the protection of human lives.
Equally concerning, the human cost of the conflict has also been substantial, with 1,190 fatalities recorded due to wild elephant attacks over the same period.
Of these, 456 people were killed between 2015 and 2019, while the number surged to 734 fatalities from 2020 to 2024, further compounding the crisis.
In response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Kins Nelson, Dr. Patabendi acknowledged the multifaceted nature of the issue, stressing that finding a resolution would require time and considerable effort.
He noted that the Department of Wildlife Conservation is grappling with numerous challenges in its attempts to mitigate the conflict, with the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to wildlife management.
Minister Patabendi assured the public that addressing this crisis would be a priority in the upcoming national budget, with additional funding being earmarked for efforts aimed at curbing the conflict.
He further emphasised that innovative solutions, such as new research initiatives and stronger collaborations with relevant institutions, would be crucial in developing effective strategies to protect both human and wildlife populations.
