The Sri Lanka Railways Department has launched a new initiative to reduce the growing number of elephant-train collisions, installing 24-hour CCTV systems at high-risk elephant crossing points along key railway lines.
The solar-powered cameras, operational since two months ago, have been placed in areas regularly used by wild elephants, including near the Ambalakanda railway tunnel, and in the Gal Oya and Minneriya regions. The system enables officials to monitor tracks in real time and alert train drivers if elephants are detected, helping to prevent accidents before they occur, General Manager of Railways Dhammika Jayasundera said.
In Gal Oya, two cameras now cover about one kilometre of track. The live feed is monitored remotely from a control centre in Anuradhapura, where operators can also adjust camera angles. Encouraged by the early results, the department plans to expand the system to other known elephant crossing points, he said.
Each camera costs around Rs. 20,000 and the department said the individuals and organisations, particularly those involved in wildlife conservation can donate equipment to support the project.
