Sri Lanka To Deploy Elephant Monitoring Units

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a decisive move to curb the escalating human-elephant conflict, the Ministry of Environment has announced plans to establish special elephant monitoring units across five high-risk districts.

Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patanbendi confirmed that the units will be set up in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Kurunegala, areas that have reported frequent clashes between humans and wild elephants.

The monitoring posts will be staffed by wildlife officers, Civil Security personnel, and Army soldiers, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response to incidents. 

The decision follows weeks of consultations with all relevant agencies, aimed at creating a coordinated strategy to protect both human lives and elephant populations.