Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed amending Sri Lanka's constitution to establish fundamental rights for wildlife and the environment, allowing violations to be directly challenged in court.
The proposal was announced during a meeting with conservationists, researchers, and civil society representatives at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo on Sunday (18).
The move follows the death of Kavantissa, one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned wild tuskers, who died on 16 October after weeks of treatment for a gunshot wound.
Legal Reforms
Premadasa said that existing constitutional protections remain inadequate because environmental duties under the Directive Principles of State Policy lack legal enforceability.
He argued that extending fundamental rights to animals, plants, and ecosystems would allow citizens to pursue direct judicial remedies against environmental harm.
Addressing the demise of Kavantissa, the Opposition Leader called for a full investigation involving local and international experts to examine post-mortem findings, medical records, and official management.
He confirmed that he would raise formal questions in parliament regarding the elephant's blood test results and treatment procedures.
He said that political leaders often neglect wildlife conservation because animals lack voting power, urging the public to unite across political lines to demand administrative accountability.
Infrastructure and Habitat Protection
To prevent future losses, Premadasa advocated for a dedicated elephant hospital, a specialized veterinary response team, and enhanced security units for iconic tuskers such as Mahasen and Agbo.
He highlighted the need for a national land-use plan to safeguard critical corridors and habitats across Wilpattu, Wilachchiya, Thabbowa, Anamaduwa, and Kahalla-Pallekele.
He further proposed creating a comprehensive national elephant database built on data supplied by wildlife photographers, field researchers, and local conservation groups.
The Opposition Leader pointed out that operational conflicts, severe staff shortages, and limited resources continue to hamper the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
He urged authorities to upgrade veterinary services, introduce compulsory environmental education in schools, and enforce anti-poaching laws with the same intensity applied to drug trafficking.
Stakeholder Action and Future Measures
Meeting attendees formally established the Kavantissa Elephant Protection Organization, a community-driven initiative uniting conservationists, enthusiasts, and civil society leaders.
Premadasa announced that forty-five minutes of the next Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change would be allocated specifically to wildlife protection strategies.
He invited field experts and civil society groups to submit evidence-based proposals and actionable policy guidelines ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
Leave your comments
Login to post a comment
Post comment as a guest