• Sensors to warn train drivers before elephants reach tracks
• Pilot to cover 13 identified elephant-crossing hotspots
• Ground vibrations, sound, AI used to identify approaching animals
• Railways to take over system if pilot proves successful
• People’s Bank funds installation 

Wild elephants crossing railway tracks continues to pose a significant challenge to Sri Lanka’s efforts to prevent human-wildlife conflict, with trains serving as deadly points of intersection for animals travelling through their natural habitats. 

Although train collisions account for only a small proportion of overall elephant deaths, the incidents remain a source of concern, particularly along railway stretches where elephants regularly cross or roam. 

A new system is now being launched in an effort to detect elephants before they reach an approaching train and give drivers sufficient warning to respond. The system, which is being piloted at 13 locations identified as frequent elephant-crossing areas, is anticipated to use sensors placed along railway tracks to detect the presence of elephants and transmit alerts to train drivers. 

The initiative brings together several State agencies, with the aim of combining technology with existing measures to make railway lines safer for wildlife. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, authorities said that the pilot project was expected to provide a new layer of protection against elephant-train collisions, while also allowing the relevant agencies to assess whether the technology could be effectively used on a wider scale.

Technology on the tracks

An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based sensor system designed to detect wild elephants near railway tracks and alert train drivers is currently being piloted as part of efforts to prevent elephant-train collisions, according to Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Director General Ranjan Marasinghe. 

Marasinghe said that the system had been developed following previous attempts to use sensors and cameras mounted on trains, which had limitations, particularly on curved sections of railway lines where many collisions occurred. 

“We tried various methods previously. We tested sensors on trains, but mounting cameras on trains presented issues. When a train rounds a bend, the camera cannot see around the curve, so an elephant near the turn goes undetected. Most accidents happen at such bends,” he said. 

Under the new system, sensors will be positioned along the railway line rather than being mounted on locomotives. According to Marasinghe, the sensors detect ground vibrations caused by elephants walking while additional sensors capture sound and other data. The system is also designed to provide SMS alerts and visual warnings through lights. 

“A set of sensors is now stationed along the tracks. These sensors detect seismic waves – the ground vibrations produced when an elephant walks. Beyond that, it uses multiple sensors to capture sound and other inputs. We then use AI to accurately identify the animal and issue alerts to the train driver and personnel along the station line. The system includes SMS alerts and light warnings,” he explained. 

Marasinghe added that the technology was currently at the pilot stage, following the completion of the research and development phase. 

“This is currently a pilot study. We previously ran tests and are now implementing an improved version of the technology. The research phase is complete and we are moving to pilot implementation along specific sections. If it yields successful results, we will expand its use,” he said. 

He noted that People’s Bank had sponsored the technological development, while the project was being carried out as a multi-agency collaboration under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, involving the DWC, the Department of Forest Conservation, People’s Bank, and the firm developing the technology. 

“We provided the core baseline data on where these incidents occur to help refine the technology,” he added, noting the DWC’s primary contribution. 

He further stated that an engineer who had formerly worked with the DWC was involved in the system’s development and had collaborated with the department during the testing of an earlier version. 

Additional Secretary to the President – Clean Sri Lanka Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, who also confirmed the engineer’s involvement in the project when speaking to The Sunday Morning, added that the pilot involved installing multiple sensors along both sides of railway tracks in areas with high concentrations of elephants and frequent elephant crossings. 

“Sensors are installed at intervals. If an elephant is present, those sensors detect it,” he said.

According to Sugeeshwara, the system is designed to transmit a detection signal to train drivers, allowing them to slow down and take appropriate action. 

“It detects large animals and senses significant mass. Our plan is to take that signal from the sensor and pass it to the train driver. In short, the driver gets advance notice that an elephant is in the vicinity. Then they can slow down, reduce their speed accordingly, and take appropriate action,” he explained.

Putting the system to the test

Meanwhile, a demonstration of the sensor system was held at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to test and enhance its ability to detect elephants, according to Marasinghe. 

He explained that Pinnawala provided a controlled environment for testing and improving the technology and system. 

“The demonstration was conducted at Pinnawala specifically to test and refine the sensor system designed to detect elephants. Capturing data in a natural forest whenever needed is difficult, so a location like Pinnawala provided the right environment to develop and fine-tune the detection system,” he said. 

Sugeeshwara also noted that the technology had initially been tested at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage using elephants and other large animals to determine whether the sensors could detect animals of a significant size. 

“We went to Pinnawala and tested the sensor by sending elephants across its path to see if the animals would be detected by the instrument. After that, we experimented to determine whether cattle would be detected as well; as it turned out, a large buffalo was detected. It picked up a mass as large as a small elephant,” he said. 

The testing has thus demonstrated that the system can detect large animals, with animals weighing more than approximately 200 kg triggering the sensors. 

“Animals weighing over roughly 200 kg are detected, so even a buffalo will trigger it. Such a detection capability exists,” Sugeeshwara added.

Sri Lanka Railways’ role

Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has granted permission for the technology provider to conduct a pilot project aimed at preventing wild elephant-train collisions across 13 identified locations, with the department expected to take over the system if the technology proves successful. 

SLR General Manager Ravindra Padmapriya said that the department’s primary contribution at present involved granting permission for the technology provider to conduct testing on railway property. 

“Technical support is provided by an external party. What we have done so far is grant permission to the provider to conduct the pilot project and testing on our railway lines in areas where elephants roam, strictly within our legal boundaries,” he told The Sunday Morning, adding that People’s Bank was sponsoring the initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. 

According to Padmapriya, if the pilot proves successful, the technology provider will be required to hand over the system to Sri Lanka Railways, with maintenance arrangements also expected to be addressed. 

“If it is successful, they need to hand over the successful system to us after the pilot project,” he said. 

Padmapriya further said that the technology being introduced at present for testing was a radar system, which would be evaluated for its ability to detect elephants and provide sufficient warning to trains. 

He explained that SLR would only consider taking over the system for train operations after the provider demonstrated its effectiveness with supporting data. 

“Once they declare that radar system a success and present it to us with complete data, and if we reach an agreement and confirm it can prevent elephant collisions, we will take it over for our train operations,” Padmapriya said. 

He added that the 13 locations selected for the pilot had been identified by the DWC as areas where elephants regularly roamed and crossed railway lines. 

“The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a tripartite agreement involving the DWC, People’s Bank, and SLR. The tripartite team is identifying the relevant locations, having the provider deploy the required technology there, and using the agreement to test technical feasibility, how the signal reaches the train, and whether train drivers can act on it. If it is successful, only then will we move forward,” he stated. 

Padmapriya also said that the pilot would also be important in determining whether railway staff, particularly train drivers, could effectively use the technology. 

“As the project progresses, they need to train us on how to operate it. It is a technology, after all, so even our train drivers need to accept that this can offer genuine protection regarding elephants. That is why it is currently running as a pilot. The pilot must succeed; otherwise, we cannot move forward,” he said.

Elephant-train collisions

Two wild elephants have been killed in train collisions so far this year, while 21 such deaths have been recorded in 2025, according to the DWC. 

DWC Director of Operations U.L. Thaufeek said that the majority of elephant-train collisions had occurred along the railway stretch between Palugaswewa and Minneriya. 

“Two elephants have been killed in train collisions this year, and 21 were killed last year. These collisions mostly occur between Palugaswewa and Minneriya,” he said, speaking to The Sunday Morning. 

Meanwhile, DWC Director General Marasinghe said that elephant deaths caused by train collisions generally accounted for less than 5% of total elephant deaths annually. 

“Generally, the annual mortality rate from train collisions accounts for less than 5% of total elephant deaths. Lately, train collisions have been virtually non-existent,” he added. 

Marasinghe identified several areas where elephant-train incidents had historically occurred, including sections of the railway line towards Anuradhapura, the Pinnawala and Kaudulla areas along the Gal Oya line, and the line going to Batticaloa near Manampitiya.

Forest Dept. clears the way

The Department of Forest Conservation will contribute to efforts to prevent wild elephant-train collisions by clearing vegetation along identified elephant crossing points to improve visibility along railway tracks, according to Conservator General of Forests P.S.C. Palamakumbura. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Palamakumbura said that the department would clear the vegetation on both sides of railway tracks in areas identified as regular points of elephant crossing. 

“To ensure elephants are not hidden from view when approaching the train tracks, we clear a certain extent on both sides of the track in the areas where elephants cross – their usual routes or crossing points. We will clear about 30 metres on both sides along a stretch of around 3–4 km in order to ensure visibility,” he said. 

Palamakumbura added that the department’s role included improving water availability and food sources in elephant-inhabited areas, with the aim of reducing the need for elephants to move extensively in search of food and water. 

“Another way in which we contribute is by rehabilitating water sources and water bodies in areas inhabited by elephants. If there are abandoned tanks, we rehabilitate them so that elephants will remain in such spots for longer periods,” he explained.

He added that forest restoration activities would also be carried out to improve the availability of food, including grass, in areas inhabited by elephants. 

“We carry out forest restoration activities, such as making grass more available, in order to ensure abundant food for the animals. Once this has been done, we believe elephant movements will decrease to some extent, as they mostly roam in search of food and water,” Palamakumbura added. 

The road ahead 

The system to detect elephants near railway tracks and alert train drivers is expected to become operational as a pilot within around three months, with ground installation work already underway, according to Sugeeshwara. 

Sugeeshwara said that the contractor responsible for the project was an electrical engineer and businessman who was undertaking the work on a research basis rather than for profit, with People’s Bank covering his costs. He said that one of the main roles played by the Clean Sri Lanka programme was bringing the different State agencies together to facilitate the project. 

Sugeeshwara added that obtaining the agreement of the wildlife and railways authorities and addressing concerns raised by train drivers had been among the main challenges in taking the project forward. 

“Train drivers initially rejected the project. Managing these aspects was the most difficult task from our end. We mediated, set things up, and brought it to the execution stage,” Sugeeshwara noted. 

He also confirmed that the contract had been awarded and signed, with installation work now beginning. 

“The contract has now been awarded and signed. Ground installation work has just begun. It will take about 3–4 months to finish the installation and launch it,” he said, adding that the pilot would become operational after the installation was completed. 

Meanwhile, the system will be maintained by the contractor for five years under the agreement, during which time personnel from the Wildlife Conservation and Railways Departments will also receive training. 

“There is a five-year contract maintenance period for this. For five years, the contractor is liable to maintain it. After this period, the contractor has to hand it over. In the meantime, the Wildlife Conservation and Railways Department teams will be trained,” Sugeeshwara said.