- Sajith seeks special task force for tuskers
A total of 784 wild elephants have died from gunshot injuries, electrocution, hakka patas explosives and train collisions in Sri Lanka from 2023 to date this year, Environment Minister Dr Dammika Patabendi told Parliament yesterday (20), as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for stronger protection measures and an independent investigation into the death of elephant Kavanthissa.
Gunfire accounted for the highest number of deaths at 303, followed by electrocution (229), hakka patas (193) and train collisions (59).
The figures show that gunfire killed 98 elephants in 2023, 84 in 2024, 79 in 2025 and 42 so far this year. Electrocution claimed 72 lives in 2023, 56 in 2024, 69 in 2025 and 32 this year. Hakka patas caused 52 deaths in both 2023 and 2024, 56 in 2025 and 33 this year. Train collisions killed 24 elephants in 2023, 11 in 2024, 21 in 2025 and three so far this year.
Against this backdrop, Premadasa questioned the Government over the treatment provided to Kavanthissa before its death on 16 October. He asked the Minister to table records of medical decisions and treatment, and clarify whether specialist veterinary assistance, military support or specialised rescue equipment had been considered.
He also asked whether shortages of equipment, laboratory facilities or personnel had affected treatment, whether officials had visited the site and whether a post-mortem report would be tabled. “Does the Government accept that Kavanthissa’s death was a killing?” he asked, seeking an update on the investigation.
Premadasa proposed bringing in foreign specialists to assist the investigation and including civil society environmental organisations in a committee appointed by the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He also called for foreign assistance to establish mobile laboratories and emergency wildlife treatment units.
Referring to elephant Mahasen, which he described as the country’s tusker with the longest tusks, he urged the Government to introduce a special programme to locate and protect it. He also proposed a dedicated task force to protect elephants, citing measures taken in India and African countries, and called for action over firearms distributed for crop protection.
Responding, Dr Patabendi said the present Government had not distributed firearms for crop protection, adding that most elephant shootings involved illegal weapons. He said the Government would give serious consideration to Premadasa’s proposals.
The Minister said Kavanthissa’s illness was first reported on 23 September, with treatment beginning the following day. The elephant was anaesthetised on 25 September to collect wound samples, and blood tests were also conducted. Veterinary teams discussed its condition online and assessed it daily. The initial illness was brought under control, and by 30 September the wound had healed and the elephant could walk, bearing weight on all four legs.
However, its condition deteriorated after it was observed in the Anuradhapura area on 6 October, suffering from diarrhoea. Attempts to collect dung samples for testing were unsuccessful due to the rain and diarrhoea. Despite treatment, nutritional supplements and medication to stimulate its appetite, the elephant weakened and stopped eating. It died at 6.44 p.m. on 16 October, the Minister said, adding that numerous veterinary surgeons had been involved.
He said preparations for a mobile wildlife hospital were 90% complete, with vehicles being adapted and equipment purchased. Land had also been allocated at Ulukkulama, about four kilometres from Anuradhapura on the Anuradhapura-Puttalam road, for a veterinary hospital, with a concept paper submitted and Government approval obtained.
“If there has been any shortcoming by anyone in this matter, I am prepared to accept responsibility as the Minister of Environment,” Dr Patabendi said.