All trade union members of the Department of Wildlife Conservation today (13) reported sick leave and commenced trade union action opposing the government’s move to absorb Civil Security Department officers into the Wildlife Department.

The protest will lead to a massive demonstration staged outside the Wildlife Department headquarters in Battaramulla. 

Speaking to the media, President of the All‑Ceylon Wildlife Officers’ Association, Indika Peiris charged that the Director General of the Wildlife Department was acting arbitrarily and attempting to carry out recruitments in a manner that was unjust to existing officers.

“We are not against the recruitments themselves, but the process is flawed. We requested discussions, yet the Director General ignored us and is proceeding in the wrong way. This harms not only field assistants and secondary‑level officers, but also rangers, site assistants, and guards across the department,” Peiris said.

He added that despite repeated requests for talks before July 13, no discussions were granted, forcing officers to resort to sick leave and protest action.

It is reported that in response to the claims, Wildlife Director General Ranjan Marasinghe said that discussions had already been provided regarding employee concerns. 

He further noted that the Ministry of Environment has appointed a committee to decide on the absorption of Civil Security Department officers, with future steps to be determined by its recommendations. (Newswire)

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The Department of Wildlife Conservation says 128 elephant deaths have been recorded across Sri Lanka between January 1 and May 15 this year.

According to official data, causes include 20 deaths from shootings, 15 from electrocution, 10 from consuming hakka patas (explosive bait), and 5 from falling into cultivation wells. 

Additional fatalities were reported due to poisoning, train collisions, and drowning.

The highest number of elephant deaths has been reported from the Eastern region, with further cases recorded in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones.

The Department also confirmed that human casualties remain significant.

So far this year, 35 human deaths have been reported due to elephant attacks, officials said. (Newswire)

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Four individuals were arrested in the Aluthwewa area under the Galewela Police Division yesterday (27) during a joint operation involving Ritigala wildlife officers, Kurunegala Assistant Director’s Office officials, Special Task Force police, and intelligence officers.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the arrests followed information provided by Air Force intelligence to the Ritigala Wildlife Office. 

Officials said the suspects were found in possession of 20 highly protected Smooth Spider Conchs, 22 unidentified sea conchs, two deer antlers and several pieces of deer antlers, which they had allegedly kept for illegal sale.

Authorities stated that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to sell the animal parts. 

Both the suspects and the seized items are to be produced in court for further legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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The Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Civil Aviation Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at minimizing harm to wildlife around airports while ensuring the efficient operation of Mattala Airport.

The agreement was signed this morning (27) at Mattala Airport by the Director General of Wildlife and the Acting Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The MoU sets out collaborative measures to reduce wildlife‑related incidents near the airport, safeguard biodiversity, strengthen sustainable practices in airport management, and enhance coordination between aviation authorities and wildlife experts. (Newswire)

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The Department of Wildlife Conservation has launched a formal investigation following reports that tourist bungalows inside Kumana National Park have been reserved online and used for purposes other than wildlife viewing.

In a statement, the department said that under Sections 3(b) and 2(c) of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, the Director General is authorized to issue permits to individuals to enter national parks strictly for the purpose of observing wildlife and flora. The law does not grant permission for commercial activities or any other unrelated purposes within national parks.

Authorities said information had been received indicating that tourist bungalows located within Kumana National Park had been booked online and used for other programs.

As a result, online reservations for tourist bungalows inside the park have been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

The department said that following the inquiry, it plans to introduce a more suitable mechanism to facilitate online reservations for tourists while ensuring compliance with the law and the protection of the park’s wildlife and environment. (Newswire)

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The Department of Wildlife Conservation has announced the reopening of several National Parks and bungalows with the gradual improvement of the adverse weather situation in Sri Lanka. 

According to the department, due to adverse weather conditions, the Yala (except Block 6), Wilpattu, Kumana, Wasgamuwa, Horton Plains, Kaudulla, and Minneriya National Parks were temporarily closed from November 28, 2025, for daytime visitors as well as overnight stays at tourist bungalows and campsites. 

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has reopened these national parks and bungalows as follows:

On December 1, 2025, Horton Plains National Park, Kumana National Park, and Yala National Park (Blocks 1–4) were reopened for daytime visitors.

On December 3, 2025, the Palatupana entrance of Yala National Park and the tourist bungalows at Heenwewa, Ondachchi, Mahaseelawa, New Butawa, and Old Butawa were reopened. Wilpattu National Park and the Maradanmaduwa wildlife bungalow were reopened. Kumana National Park and the Thummulla and Kirigal Abe bungalows were reopened. Horton Plains National Park and the Ginihiriya and Mahaeliya bungalows were reopened. Minneriya National Park and the Rambavila bungalow were reopened.

On December 5, 2025, the Katagamuwa entrance of Yala National Park and the Pahalheentota and Thalgasmankada bungalows were reopened.

On December 7, 2025, the Old Thotupola and Warahana bungalows of Yala National Park were reopened.

On December 8, 2025, Yala National Park Block 5 and the Kudagal Amuna bungalow were reopened. Wasgamuwa National Park and the Kadurupitiya bungalow were reopened.

On December 10, 2025, the Manik Wila and Lunu Wewa bungalows of Wilpattu National Park were reopened.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation further said that other bungalows located within Wilpattu and Wasgamuwa National Parks are being prepared to reopen in due course. 

Campsites and temporarily closed routes within the national parks will also be reopened for visitors once conditions are suitable.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation advises visitors to national parks during these days to take note of the above situation, use appropriate routes, and ensure their own safety while engaging in tourism activities. (Newswire)

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A pair of ivory tusks of great value that was exhibited at the ministerial office of the Ministry of Environment has been returned to the Department of Wildlife. 

Minister Vijitha Herath, as the subject minister for Environment, Wildlife, and Forest Resources, took measures to return the ivory tusks.

Director General of the Wildlife Department M.G. Sooriyabandara yesterday officially took charge of the ivory tuskers, which are to be relocated to the Department soon. (Newswire)

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Legal action will be initiated against those who feed wild elephants venturing onto main roads bordering forest areas in Sri Lanka, the Department of Wildlife Conservation warned. 

The Director General of the Department M. G. C. Sooriyabandara told NewsWire that feeding wild elephants on the roads is considered an offence as per the provisions of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance.

The department stated that due to people feeding wild elephants venturing onto main roads, the animals have made it a habit to return to the roads in search of food. 

This has resulted in an increase in the incidents of wild elephants obstructing vehicles on main roads in search of food, he added. 

Sooriyabandara further stated that the public has been requested to refrain from feeding wild elephants venturing onto main roads bordering forest areas in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife Department has reported that 36 elephants died within the first seven months of 2023 due to unauthorized electric fences. 

The Wildlife Department has put up electric fences by adhering to scientific and technical specifications. However, certain individuals have put up fences without adhering to such specifications to protect their farmlands and properties. This has resulted in the deaths of several wild elephants, he added.

Sooriyabandara stated that electric fences can only be put up upon receiving the necessary authorization from the Wildlife Department.

He further warned that legal action will be initiated against those putting up fences without such authorization and those considered to be restricting the free movement of wildlife. (NewsWire)

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