Sri Lanka will step up its efforts to address the escalating human-elephant conflict, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patapendi told Parliament on Thursday.
Responding to a question from Opposition MP Nalin Bandara of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Patapendi said that between 2015 and 2024, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of 3,484 elephants and 1,195 people. The toll remains high, with 43 elephants and three people killed in January alone.
The Minister outlined the Government’s financial commitment to mitigating the crisis, adding that Rs. 756.77 million were spent on electric fences between 2015 and 2019, with an additional Rs. 150.15 million allocated from 2020 to 2024. Maintenance costs amounted to Rs. 171.02 million from 2015 to 2019 and Rs. 51.76 million from 2020 to 2024.
Incidents of property damage have surged, with 7,744 cases reported between 2015 and 2019, compared to 13,724 cases from 2020 to 2024.
The Government has completed 5,612 kilometres of electric fencing since launching new construction efforts last year to counter the crisis. Over 4,000 civil security personnel have been deployed to protect the fences, while 737 others have been assigned to drive elephants away from human settlements.
Opposition MP Nalin Bandara stressed the importance of public awareness in mitigating the conflict, saying that proper awareness could help prevent further casualties.
Dr. Patapendi added that scientific research is ongoing to develop a sustainable, long-term solution to the crisis, to balance conservation efforts with human safety.
