Sri Lanka Urged to Fast-Track National Policy on Human-Elephant Conflict

Sri Lanka has been urged to urgently develop a comprehensive national policy to address the growing human-elephant conflict, with greater involvement from relevant government institutions and other stakeholders.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, held at Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Hector Appuhamy.

The committee considered research findings and policy recommendations from a joint project conducted by the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII), UNESCO and the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA).

A key focus of the discussion was reducing encounters between people and wild elephants by addressing shortages of food and water within wildlife habitats. The committee also examined ways to improve elephant habitats and encourage greater participation by communities in environmental conservation.

Members stressed the importance of introducing a suitable management programme to reduce the likelihood of elephants entering populated areas in search of food and water.

The committee also called for six identified elephant corridors to be gazetted without further delay. Improving habitats within wildlife reserves and expanding awareness programmes among communities living in affected areas were also identified as priorities.

The meeting further addressed environmental concerns surrounding the Muthurajawela wetland system. The committee highlighted the need to properly survey and demarcate State-owned lands in order to protect the wetland, while improving coordination between government agencies to prevent unauthorised activities.

Issues affecting small-scale fishing communities were also discussed, with attention given to possible measures to strengthen their livelihoods.

The committee stressed that solutions to environmental challenges must be based on scientific research, reliable data and evidence. It also emphasised stronger cooperation between relevant State institutions and the adaptation of successful approaches from elsewhere to suit Sri Lanka’s own circumstances.

The discussions underscored the need for coordinated and evidence-based action to address the human-elephant conflict while protecting both communities and wildlife.