Farmers protesting since January demanding that the Wild Elephant Management Reserve in Hambantota be Gazetted to reduce the Human – Elephant Conflict in the area, would be bringing their demands to Colombo in the coming days.
Speaking to The Morning on 9 March, Walawe Wam Iwure Govi Sanvidanaya General Secretary Saman Sudarshana said that following 52 days of protests with no positive response from the Government, the farmers would be forced to come to Colombo to continue their protests.
The Walsapugala Village has been suffering for many years due to the human elephant conflict that has left villagers in constant fear for their lives, with pleas going unheard by the relevant authorities.
Over the same issue, a large number of farmers, farmers’ organisations and environmentalists engaged in a mobile protest from Sooriyawewa to Ambalantota yesterday (10). It was reported that large crowds blocked the Colombo - Kataragama Road.
“We have waited for almost two months now and we see no communication from the Government. We hope to protest in front of the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry in the coming days,” said Sudarshana.
Sudarshana further said that although the Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapaksa had assured the farmers 46 days ago that the area would be Gazetted as a Wild Elephant Management Reserve and an electric fence would be constructed, it is yet to happen.
“There are many businesses that are operating inside this protected area now. Maybe that is why politicians don’t want to Gazette it,” said Sudarshana.
However, Sudarshana said that the Wild Elephant Management Reserve is vital for approximately 65,000 farmers who live around the area, as it would stop the current harm that is being caused to the cultivations by elephants.
All attempts to contact the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation C.B. Ratnayake and Rajapaksa proved futile.
A total of 86 agrarian associations in the area currently support the protest movement.
H’tota elephant protestors to enter Colombo
11 Mar 2021
H’tota elephant protestors to enter Colombo
11 Mar 2021
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