State Minister of Wildlife Protection, Adoption of Safety Measures including the Construction of Electrical Fences and Trenches and Reforestation and Forest Resource Development Wimalaweera Dissanayake speaking to a function held in Ampara yesterday (06) stated that he is being blamed on every occasion in which wild animals breach the fences of households in the rural areas and that he should be ‘awarded’ for hosting such a strenuous ministry.
“Problems from morning to night. Elephants, peacocks and monkeys breach the households, and I am being cussed in the name of my mother. I should be given a separate award for accepting a ministry with such insults. Has anyone ever asked Wimalaweera to perform magic? No I can’t!” he grumbled.
The Minister added: “I am saying this at the presence of ‘the Minister’ [referring to Chamal Rajapaksa] too. The government has never released a single cent to me to cut those elephant trenches. Honourable Minister, I have been sued on four occasions in the allegation that I am cutting elephant trenches. I am being sued when I try to prevent the elephants from breaching the villages. Saying this out in the public, I do not wish to become like Ranjan Ramanayake. If a Court order is given not to cut elephant trenches, I will be telling the Honourable Judge to issue a verdict barring the elephants from breaching the villages too. Because elephants won’t be coming anymore if they are given a verdict. They are aware of the verdict, aren’t they? When the elephants are shown the lawbook, they won’t be coming to the villages anymore.”
Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.
MIAP
