The Environment Ministry stated the nationwide wild elephant survey carried out in August 2024 could be relied on and the authorities could move forward based on its findings.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy subject Minister Anton Sarath Jayakody said that the exercise was conducted before the current administration came into office and was studied carefully before being accepted. “It was done scientifically and in a positive manner. We have to accept it. If anyone claims that it is not possible to use this data, they must prove it."

Rejecting calls for a fresh census at this stage, he noted that another survey could be considered in the future, possibly in about five years. "The relevant institutions can make their decisions based on the findings of the survey carried out in 2024. There is no need to spend public money again on carrying out one."

The Wildlife Conservation Department stated in 2024  the countrywide survey on wild elephants, conducted on 17, 18, and 19 August of that year, was successful. A total of 3,130 survey centres had been set up across the country for the exercise, which involved officers from the Department, other Government institutions, the security forces, private sector employees, university students, and volunteers.

Despite these assurances, allegations have been made by certain groups claiming that the census was not carried out properly and does not provide accurate information.

Meanwhile, representatives of Sri Lanka participated in the International Parliamentary Roundtable on Human–Wildlife Coexistence, held from 19 to 21 January of this year (2026) in Gaborone, Botswana. On 19 January, Jayakody addressed the session on “Human–Wildlife Coexistence: Main Triggers and Drivers of Conflict.” In his intervention, he emphasised the need to transition from short-term, reactive responses to comprehensive and forward-looking policy and legislative solutions. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s efforts to establish managed elephant ranges and enrichment zones as a sustainable approach to minimising conflict while ensuring effective wildlife conservation. He further underscored the importance of research-based policy development, technological innovation, and strengthened international cooperation, particularly among Asian countries facing similar challenges. On 20 January, Parliamentarian Kins Nelson spoke at the session on the Management of the Wildlife Impact on Human Activities: Community-Based Natural Resource Management and Benefit-Sharing Models. He drew attention to the realities faced by rural communities in Sri Lanka, especially in Districts severely affected by the human–elephant conflict (HEC). He emphasised that meaningful community participation, equitable benefit-sharing, and livelihood protection were essential for achieving successful coexistence between humans and wildlife. He further underscored the important role of MPs in strengthening community-focused policies, Local Governance mechanisms, and sustainable development initiatives that balance conservation objectives with the socio-economic needs of the affected communities. Sri Lanka’s experiences, particularly in addressing the HEC through policy innovation and community engagement, were recognised.