The Dehiattakandiya Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines of Rs. 40,000 each on two individuals found guilty of feeding wild elephants inside the Maduru Oya National Park, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The case was filed by wildlife officers attached to the Henanigala Park Entrance Office after an investigation into an incident in April in which several individuals were seen providing various food items to wild elephants, including two elephant calves, for entertainment purposes.

Based on the findings of the investigation, wildlife officers filed legal action against five individuals before the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate’s Court on April 24, 2026.

The court on Thursday (18) convicted two of the accused and imposed fines totalling Rs. 80,000. (Newswire)

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Wildlife Department and area officials have launched a joint operation on Nov. 2 to relocate wild elephants from villages in the Mahailuppallama area to a designated wildlife reserve, following daily intrusions that have endangered lives and damaged property.

The initiative, which includes the activation of an electric elephant fence, aims to protect both residents and wildlife after a series of incidents involving elephant crossings in populated areas. Officials said elephants have repeatedly entered several villages in recent days, destroying crops and, in previous cases, causing fatalities.

Local officials, in coordination with area residents, decided to drive the elephants out of nearby forested areas into a government-designated reserve. The operation involves the Department of Wildlife Conservation, local government institutions, the Mahailuppallama Seed Research Institute, Police, and other government agencies.

Drones were used to track elephant movements, and wildlife officers drove the animals approximately 10 to 15 kilometers away from human settlements. (Newswire)

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Six elephants who were under the care of the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home were released into the wild.

The young elephants were raised at the facility after losing their mothers. The elephants were released to the Maw Are reserve within the Udawalawe National Park.

This marks the 26th such release from the transit home, which follows specialized protocols to prepare elephants for reintegration into the wild.

The operation was overseen by officials including Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, MP Upul Kithsiri and Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Ranjan Marasinghe.

The Minister also inspected the current conditions at the facility and discussed operational challenges with staff.

Wildlife officers emphasized the continued importance of monitoring released elephants and maintaining conservation efforts within the national park. (Newswire)

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The Government is set to launch two pilot projects, the ‘Temporary Agricultural Electric Fence’ and the ‘Village Electric Fence,’ aimed at protecting villages and farmlands from wild elephants. The decision was taken following a discussion held on Monday, led by Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, alongside heads of relevant departments, the President’s Media Division said.

In addition to the existing electric fences, pilot projects will be initiated in several conflict-prone districts to protect farmlands during the harvest season. These areas will be secured with temporary agricultural electric fences (Agro Fences).

The meeting also explored the proposal of constructing electric fences (Village Fences) around villages frequently experiencing human-wild elephant conflicts, aiming to safeguard these communities.

It was decided that farmers should dismantle the agricultural electric fences after harvesting, with the Department of Agricultural Development taking responsibility for maintenance and custody. Maintenance duties will also be assigned to the respective divisional secretariats.

Additionally, the preservation of a group of trained elephants for cultural events and parades, as well as addressing private elephant ownership, was discussed.

Ratnayaka instructed the relevant authorities to compile and present a comprehensive report outlining the challenges in implementing these resolutions for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s review.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Gunadasa Samarasinghe, representatives from various agencies, and members of the Wild Elephant Human Control Committee, including Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya and Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando. (Newswire)

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Acknowledging the importance of elephant protection during Peraheras in Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the need to preserve and uphold the nation’s ancient customs. 

President Wickremesinghe called for the resolution of challenges such as acquiring tame elephants for the Perahera through constructive negotiations. 

Additionally, the President noted that Kandy’s esteemed Esala Maha Perahera would hold a special place in a program designed to enhance progress in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector by the upcoming year.

Expressing his deep gratitude to all those who supported the Perahera, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the significance of safeguarding the historical Kandy Esala Perahera. 

He highlighted that this event was not only a religious and national celebration but also a grand cultural festival that showcased Sri Lankan heritage on the global stage. 

President Wickremesinghe further stressed the importance of carrying this legacy forward.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Wickremesinghe made the remarks during a ceremony held in Kandy yesterday (Aug. 31).

During the ceremony, the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela, handed over the Esala Perahera Scroll to President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

The Scroll highlights the meticulous execution of the annual Esala Perahera at Kandy’s Sri Dalanda Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), a magnificent cultural festival celebrated with great reverence for ancient traditions.

Accompanied by the Nilames of Sathara Maha Dawala and Pitisara Dewala, including the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the procession made its way to the Kandy President’s House. The President warmly welcomed them at the main gate of the premises.

In accordance with custom, the Diyawadana Nilame formally presented the Scroll of Memorandum to the President. As a symbolic gesture, the President offered a fruit treat to the baby elephant “Sindu”, reminiscent of the elephants that graced the procession. Continuing the tradition, a group photo was taken with the Nilames and the President.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe took the opportunity to honour the artists who participated in the Perahera by presenting them with traditional gifts and awards. Additionally, he extended financial support to ‘Pitisara Devala’ through the “Esala Perahera Trust” and shared the book “Sacred Dalada Culture,” a compilation by the Central Provincial Ministry of Culture.

The event saw the participation of several notable figures, including Central Province Governor Lalith U Gamage, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister Dilum Amunugama, Member of Parliament Gunathilaka Rajapakse, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana, as well as various government officials and the chiefs of the three armed forces. Additionally, the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with Basnayake Nilames representing the Sathara Maha Devala, Pitisara Devala and other Nilames were also present at the event. (NewsWire)

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