Businessman Dudley Sirisena has appealed to wildlife authorities to seek additional assistance to save the ailing tusker Kawanthissa, who has been receiving medical treatment over the past few days.

His appeal comes amid growing concerns over the elephant’s condition after it was reportedly spotted lying in a paddy field.

In a social media statement, Sirisena questioned whether the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the veterinary teams currently treating the elephant could manage the situation without additional support.

He urged authorities to identify what assistance was required to save the tusker, offering to provide any help necessary.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Dammika Patabedige recently conducted an emergency inspection to review Kawanthissa’s condition and the ongoing treatment plan.

The treatment is being coordinated by experts from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Department of National Zoological Gardens and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Peradeniya.

The minister has also instructed officials to arrange additional veterinary assistance, deploy thermal drone technology to monitor the elephant’s movements at night and coordinate with the armed forces for possible emergency support.

A 25-member emergency response team and specialized equipment, including lifting gear and heavy machinery, are also being considered in case urgent intervention becomes necessary.

Authorities are continuing daily reviews of the elephant’s condition and treatment plan. (Newswire)

The post Concerns grow as tusker Kawanthissa spotted lying in paddy field; Dudley offers assistance appeared first on Newswire.

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha has dismissed claims that a hotel owned by businessman Dudley Sirisena was the reason Parakrama Samudraya was excluded from this year’s program to remove illegal structures from tank bunds.

Speaking at a public event on Sunday, Lal Kantha said the allegations were baseless and clarified that the selection of reservoirs for the program was based on a set process used by the Department of Irrigation and limited government funding.

“We started the program just yesterday. There are many tanks with illegal constructions, and we’re working in phases,” he said. “This year, we have Rs. 100 million allocated. We can’t cover everything with that.”

Responding to criticism that Sirisena’s hotel near Parakrama Samudraya influenced the decision, the minister said, “No one is above the law when it comes to tank protection, not even Dudley Sirisena.”

While acknowledging Sirisena’s role in maintaining rice supplies in the country, Lal Kantha said the government had concerns over whether fair prices were being paid to paddy farmers. 

He noted that the state had recently intervened, offering to purchase paddy at Rs. 120 per kilogram, which led private buyers to raise their prices to Rs. 130 – Rs. 140.

“That decision protected the farmers,” he said. “We have no personal issues, but when justice for farmers is at stake, we will act.”

Lal Kantha added that the removal of illegal structures from tank bunds will continue in stages, and the public should not be misled by politically motivated claims. (Newswire)

The post Minister vows to take action against Dudley’s hotel appeared first on Newswire.