A high-level committee led by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has been appointed to devise and implement sustainable, scientific solutions to mitigate the growing threat posed by wild animals to agricultural and plantation sectors in Sri Lanka.
The newly formed committee, comprising senior government officials and subject-matter experts, held its inaugural meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The committee’s primary focus is to scientifically assess the extent of agricultural damage caused by wild animalsand develop short, medium, and long-term strategies. It will also draft national policies and legislation, and coordinate human, physical, and financial resources to implement these solutions.
Emphasizing the need for ecological balance, committee members noted that any mitigation efforts must respect the right of wild animals to their natural habitats. A rapid response programme for high-risk districts was also discussed.
Professor Ashoka Dangolla of the University of Peradeniya highlighted insights from over 15 years of research on the Toque macaque, noting that population control and coexistence solutions can be achieved through a scientific approach.
Meanwhile, Director General of Wildlife Conservation M.S.L.R.C. Marasinghe stressed the importance of animal censuses and a multi-pronged strategy rooted in empirical data, beyond public opinion or anecdotal evidence.
The committee agreed to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, including academics, environmentalists, wildlife experts, government officials, and affected community members, to ensure comprehensive and inclusive decision-making.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries, defence sector officers, university professors, and members of the newly appointed committee.
