Sajith proposes special task force, wildlife hospital to protect Sri Lanka’s remaining tuskers

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed establishing a special task force to protect Sri Lanka’s remaining tuskers, alongside a dedicated wildlife hospital, modern veterinary facilities and a rapid-response unit to handle emergencies involving injured elephants.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (20), Premadasa said Sri Lanka needed a stronger wildlife protection and emergency treatment system to prevent further losses of iconic tuskers following the death of Kavanthissa.

He proposed establishing a special elephant protection task force with the involvement of experienced wildlife officers, including Chathura Gunaratne and the investigation team led by Olugala, who were involved in an arrest connected to the Kavanthissa incident.

Premadasa said their expertise should be utilised to strengthen efforts to protect endangered tuskers and combat crimes involving elephants.

He also called for the establishment of a dedicated wildlife hospital equipped to treat seriously injured wild animals, particularly elephants requiring specialised medical attention.

The Opposition Leader said modern diagnostic equipment, mobile laboratory facilities, emergency treatment units and a rapid-response mechanism were urgently needed to improve the chances of saving injured wildlife.

He offered the opposition’s support in establishing such facilities, including assistance in securing foreign funding and other resources.

Premadasa also proposed involving foreign veterinary specialists in complex cases and strengthening cooperation between wildlife authorities, universities and other relevant institutions.

Highlighting shortages of wildlife veterinarians and other trained personnel, he urged the government to strengthen staffing and medical resources within the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

He further proposed including environmental organisations and civil society representatives in the expert committee appointed by the government to investigate Kavanthissa’s death, arguing that their participation would improve transparency and accountability.

Premadasa said lessons from the deaths of Kavanthissa, Bhathiya and Thekka Raja should be used to develop better treatment procedures and emergency response systems.

He stressed that protecting Sri Lanka’s remaining tuskers required practical reforms, improved veterinary capacity and coordinated action rather than responses only after an elephant had died. (Newswire)

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