Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched an initiative to construct a life-sized statue of tusker Kawantissa at a site in Ambanpola, near the Siyambalangamuwa Tank Reservation.
The statue is to be erected at the estate premises of the late former President R. Premadasa in Kahambiliyawetiyawatta, an area close to the habitat of the Kahalla-Pallekele elephant herd, which Kawantissa reportedly led.
According to Premadasa, the designated premises will also include a research and library facility aimed at promoting research, supporting efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflict and encouraging the conservation of tuskers and elephant herds.
The initiative will be implemented through the Kawantissa Tusker Protection Task Force, headed by Premadasa, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change.
In a Facebook post, Premadasa invited those interested in supporting the conservation of Kawantissa to join the initiative. (Newswire)