Sri Lanka has taken a decisive step to protect both wildlife and railway passengers with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce advanced technology aimed at preventing wild elephant–train collisions.
The MoU was signed yesterday (01) at the President’s Media Centre under the patronage of Presidential Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, coordinated through the Clean Sri Lanka programme.
The initiative is being implemented as a public‑private partnership involving the Railway Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Forest Conservation Department, with full financial backing from People’s Bank.
The system features three‑beam detection, passive infrared (PIR) sensors, automatic temperature sensors, and tamper alarms capable of identifying animals weighing over 20 kilograms and detecting unauthorized interference.
Signal lights (red/yellow/green) installed on either side of railway tracks, together with a special screen inside locomotive cabs, will alert drivers to the exact location of elephants in advance.
A demonstration test was successfully conducted at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, after which a technical report was prepared.
The pilot project will begin next month at 13 high‑risk locations where elephant accidents are frequent. A newly developed website, slps.lk, will also be launched to allow the public to monitor project progress live.
The MoU was signed by Additional General Manager of Railways P.D.S.B. Chandrasena, Director General of Wildlife Conservation M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe, Conservator General of Forests S.C. Palamakuumbura, and People’s Bank Chairman Chandana Guniyangoda.
Senior officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Railway Department, Wildlife Conservation Department, Forest Conservation Department, and People’s Bank were also present. (Newswire)