The proposed Hasthi Sena operation does not require special legal backing as Wildlife Conservation officers involved in the initiative already have the authority to enforce the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, with specially trained Military personnel being deployed only to support them, the Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), he said that the Government had decided to seek Cabinet of Ministers approval for the operation through a Cabinet memorandum. However, he stressed that the legal authority to enforce the Wildlife Conservation law remained with officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). “Under the law, the authority to enforce the said Ordinance has been given to Wildlife Conservation officers. Tri-Forces personnel with special training will be involved to assist them. Therefore, there’s no need for specific legislation for this. The operation will be carried out under the Ordinance,” he said.

The Government recently initiated the Hasthi Sena programme as part of efforts to address the growing human-elephant conflict (HEC) and strengthen measures to protect both people and elephants. The programme involves coordinated action by Wildlife Conservation authorities and other State agencies in areas affected by the HEC, with Military personnel expected to provide specialised support where required.