වන අලි රැක ගන්න ත්‍රිවිධ හමුදා ඒකාබද්ධ වැඩ පිළිවෙලක්

Lankadeepa, Hiru News and Ada Derana report that Sri Lanka is preparing a national joint programme involving the armed forces to strengthen protection for wild elephants and reduce human-elephant conflict. Newswire reports that the government has decided to begin a special joint operation with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, though its account ends before giving further details.

Newsfirst (සිංහල) reports that military units are being assigned to protect 13 elephants living near villages, with the initiative starting on the 24th. It attributes the announcement to Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi, who said the programme would be expanded. The report does not specify the month or provide details of the units’ duties.

Newswire reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa addressed the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change and said the death of tusker Kawanthissa should prompt stronger action to prevent elephant killings. He called elephants and tuskers part of Sri Lanka’s national and cultural heritage and proposed a dedicated conservation strategy, a national land-use plan and an environmental protection programme focused on people.

Newswire also reports that Premadasa cited limited staffing and equipment at the Department of Wildlife Conservation and sought greater state support. He called for investigation into the reported decline in large-tusked elephants, a hotline to report sick elephants and cooperation between wildlife officials and elephant-welfare groups. He said the parliamentary forum could provide veterinarians treating elephants with multiparameter monitors, and urged civil society groups and environmental activists to take part. On wider environmental issues, he also advocated grassroots awareness of El Niño and La Niña.