Sri Lanka’s tri-forces have stepped up their involvement in protecting the country’s wild elephant population and reducing human elephant conflict through a series of joint operations with the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The operations have led to the recovery of illegal firearms, ammunition, snares and explosive traps used to harm wildlife. Three suspects, including a woman, have also been arrested.
The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), with a special operations centre established at Army Headquarters to coordinate the activities of the tri-forces.
Meanwhile, the islandwide ‘Hasthi Sena’ operation was launched on November 2, focusing initially on the Galgamuwa area. A total of 60 Army personnel have been deployed, organised into 10 operational teams, to safeguard 17 wild elephants identified as being at risk.
The operation, conducted under the direct supervision of the Army Commander, is expected to expand to cover approximately 80 per cent of forest areas inhabited by wild elephants.
It will focus on preventing threats such as illegal firearms, explosive traps, unauthorised electric fences and snares through coordinated surveillance, intelligence sharing and law enforcement.
The programme is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, with the broader aim of strengthening wildlife protection and minimising human-elephant conflict across Sri Lanka.
