Army units have been deployed to protect 13 tuskers living near villages, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said.
The Minister said the programme, which took effect on October 24, would be expanded in the future.
Around 13 tuskers living near villages have been identified as vulnerable. A special discussion on their protection was held at the Environment Ministry on October 23.
Those attending included Minister Patabendi, Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody, Army Commander Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, Department of Wildlife Conservation Director General Ranjan Marasinghe and representatives of voluntary organisations.
The tuskers identified for protection included Mahanama, which roams around Kumana and Arugam Bay; Kashyapa in Bundala and Weerawila; Wijayaba in Digampathana and Minneriya; Suranimala in Kala Wewa; Agbo in Mahakanadarawa; Sumedha in Udawalawe; Sooryaya, which roams around Medawachchiya and Chilaw; Mahasena in Lunugamvehera; Dighabhaya in Mahawilachchiya; Gajabahu in Yan Oya, Wahalkada and Padaviya; Wanniya in Mullaitivu; and a tusker in the Maduru Oya area.
The animals are to be protected through a joint programme. The discussion also covered coordinating the initiative through a joint operations centre and involving communities in the respective areas.
Explaining the arrangements, Patabendi said:
“We have established a mechanism to deploy Army units in the 13 identified areas and set up a special unit coordinating wildlife officers and wildlife offices in those areas. This unit will continuously monitor the tuskers, exchange information and intervene immediately whenever a threat arises or intervention is required.
“This mechanism takes effect today. As a second phase, we hope to turn this short-term programme into a long-term initiative.”
Meanwhile, a decision has been made to establish a new Elephant Transit Home in Kalahagala, Polonnaruwa.
Around 15 hectares of land belonging to the Forest Conservation Department will reportedly be allocated for the facility.
It will aim to protect injured elephant calves and those separated from their mothers due to human-elephant conflict, floods, train accidents and other disasters.
