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Bridging conservation and livelihoods: Addressing the Human-Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka on World Elephant Day

Published

3 years ago

2023/08/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

By Ruwan Samaraweera

Written ahead of World Elephant Day, observed on 12 August 2023.

On World Elephant Day, attention turns to the unique challenges faced by Sri Lanka in the realm of human-elephant conflict (HEC). HEC’s escalating toll paints a stark reality. Human communities endure property damage, crop loss, and tragic fatalities, amplifying poverty and socio-economic instability. In 2022, as per the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Sri Lanka documented a total of 145 human fatalities resulting from HEC. Simultaneously, elephants face habitat loss, injuries, and mortality due to retaliatory killings and encounters with human settlements. DWC reported a substantial rise in elephant mortality, reaching a peak with a recorded total of 433 deaths in 2022. Therefore, the urgent need for implementing effective solutions to minimise HEC in the country becomes paramount.

Understanding the Conflict

The HEC is one of the widespread environmental issues with severe socio-economic and political implications in Sri Lanka. It arises from numerous reasons, wherein the competition for resources and land between humans and elephants being the most prominent. Rapid urbanisation, encroachment into elephant habitats, conversion of forests for agriculture, and other infrastructure development projects like road infrastructure have disrupted the elephants’ traditional migration patterns and fragmented their habitats. Consequently, elephants often venture into human settlements in search of sustenance, leading to conflicts that endanger both elephants’ and human lives.

Sumanadasa, a farmer in Galgamuwa, shares his experience of frequent elephant raids on their crop lands. He says, “As a farmer, my family depends on the crops we cultivate for our livelihood. However, the constant raids by elephants have taken a toll on our lives. We wake up each morning with anxiety, not knowing if our fields will be destroyed overnight. Our hard work and investment go in vain as elephants trample and devour our crops. It has become a struggle to provide for our family and maintain a sustainable income.”

These heart-wrenching stories highlight the profound impact of the HEC on individuals and communities. Beyond the economic losses, the emotional trauma and loss of human lives are immeasurable. The alarming increase in human and elephant fatalities resulting from HEC in Sri Lanka underscores the gravity of the situation. The average annual human death rate due to HEC increased by approximately 42% from 1992 to 2021, with the 2021 figure reaching 142 deaths. Despite fluctuations, the number of HEC-caused human deaths has consistently exceeded 100 per year over the last three years, resulting in a total of 2,111 human and 5,954 elephant casualties within the last 30 years. Apart from that, as already mentioned, crop damages emerge as a pervasive and severe issue. An IPS study revealed that among the crops grown in HEC-prone areas, paddy is the most vulnerable crop for elephant attacks, following coconut and banana. Furthermore, farmers have altered their cropping seasons due to this wild elephant risk.

Recognising the urgency of addressing the HEC, Sri Lanka has undertaken various policy initiatives and conservation efforts. Some of these are institutionally arranged measures while some are voluntary adjustments by affected communities. The DWC plays a crucial role in mitigating conflicts, implementing institutionally arranged measures such as creating elephant corridors, elephant drives, thunder flashes distribution, habitat enrichments and installing electric fences to reduce human-elephant interactions. Additionally, community-based conservation projects involving local communities in decision-making have shown promising results in promoting peaceful coexistence in some parts of the country. As a multifaceted approach to mitigating HEC, DWC has been implementing the “GajaMituro‟ programme since 2008. Under this, the DWC launched the aforementioned mitigating measures in 58 Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) of 18 Districts. Similarly, residents in affected areas practice numerous voluntary measures to deter problems from elephants. Some examples of voluntary measures include erecting watch huts, creating noise (e.g., firing thunder flashes, shouting), establishing biological fences, and using lighting methods such as fires, kerosene lamps, flares, and flashlights to frighten and chase away the elephants. However, none of the mitigation measures has given a perfect solution due to various limitations. For instance, some elephants develop adaptive behaviours to actions such that thunder flashes, thus making those no longer effective against them.

Hence, to effectively manage the HEC, innovative solutions are imperative, and the government, academia, and other interested stakeholders continue to actively pursue innovative approaches and optimal strategies to effectively tackle the issue of HEC in Sri Lanka. Technology-driven approaches, including using infrared cameras, drones, sensor-based systems, and satellite imagery to detect habitat monitoring and elephant movements and then using mobile communication systems to alert nearby communities in real-time (early warning system), can help prevent conflicts. Through educational programmes in schools and community outreach initiatives, a sense of responsibility can be instilled while highlighting innovative market-based solutions like insurance. An IPS study found that insurance as a market-based solution can deliver promising results. These solutions can be complemented by agro-ecological practices such as cultivating elephant-resistant crops, bee-fencing and establishing community-managed buffer zones around protected areas.

Conclusion

As World Elephant Day serves as a powerful global platform for raising awareness on elephant conservation, Sri Lanka can capitalise on this occasion to promote understanding, empathy, and conservation values within local communities.

It is crucial to acknowledge that no single solution can entirely address the complexities of the HEC issue, given its regional variations, changes in elephant behaviour, and diverse human activities. Therefore, adopting a holistic approach that combines suitable traditional methods alongside innovative strategies, involving local communities, and considering the conflict’s ecological, economic, and social aspects becomes essential for effective and sustainable HEC mitigation. Collaboration among government agencies, conservation organisations, and local communities becomes paramount in achieving a harmonious coexistence where elephants roam freely, and humans thrive.

By adopting this comprehensive approach, Sri Lanka can strive towards a future where both elephants and humans coexist peacefully, safeguarding the well-being of these majestic creatures for generations to come. World Elephant Day serves as a poignant reminder that collective action and shared responsibility are crucial in preserving the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage that define this island nation.

Link to blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2023/08/10/bridging-conservation-and-livelihoods-addressing-the-human-elephant-conflict-in-sri-lanka-on-world-elephant-day/

Ruwan Samaraweera is a Research Officer at IPS with a background in entrepreneurial agriculture. He holds a Bachelor’s in Export Agriculture from Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. His research interests are environmental economics, agricultural economics, macroeconomic policy and planning, labour and migration, and poverty and development policy. (Talk to Ruwan – ruwan@ips.lk)

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Sri Lanka pitches Saudi investors for new investment partnerships

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Saudi and Sri Lankan dignitaries at the National Day reception.

By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka is pitching Saudi Arabia for greater investment and deeper trade ties, seeking to attract Saudi capital into new development opportunities while aligning bilateral economic cooperation with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilaka, chief guest at Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day celebrations in Colombo, said.

Addressing the National Day reception at ITC Ratnadipa, Karunathilaka said Sri Lanka was keen to identify new areas of economic cooperation with the Kingdom and create fresh opportunities for Saudi investors and businesses.

‘We look forward to creating new opportunities for the people of both countries by working in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its broader development initiatives, he said.

The minister said Sri Lanka wanted to move beyond its existing development cooperation with Saudi Arabia and build a broader economic partnership encompassing investment, trade and new development projects.

He noted that Saudi Arabia had already made a substantial contribution to Sri Lanka’s development. Since 1981, the Kingdom has provided concessional financing amounting to around Saudi Riyals 1.5 billion for 13 projects in Sri Lanka, supporting key sectors including energy, healthcare, education, drinking water and infrastructure.

Karunathilaka said Sri Lanka appreciated this support and was keen to build on the foundation created by those projects by opening further avenues for Saudi investment.

The minister’s investment pitch comes as Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 programme, with the Kingdom seeking to diversify its economy and develop new international partnerships. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, is seeking to attract investment and expand economic opportunities through closer engagement with international partners.

Karunathilaka also highlighted the strong people-to-people links between the two countries, noting that nearly 250,000 Sri Lankans currently work and reside in Saudi Arabia.

‘They serve as an important bridge between our two countries and contribute significantly to strengthening the people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, he said.

He expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka and thanked the Saudi government for the facilities extended to Sri Lankan Muslims undertaking Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Karunathilaka said Sri Lanka looked forward to working more closely with Saudi Arabia to strengthen political relations, broaden investment opportunities and enhance development cooperation.

Yaser Abdulrahman Al-Hazme, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, said the embassy remained committed to strengthening bilateral relations by promoting political, economic and cultural communication between the two countries.

‘The embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Colombo has been keen during the past period to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries by playing its role in supporting political, economic, and cultural communication, Al-Hazme said.

Al-Hazme also highlighted the embassy’s role in strengthening communication between Saudi and Sri Lankan institutions and following up on the interests of Saudi citizens in Sri Lanka.

‘On this precious national occasion, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the government and people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the attention and care given to relations between our two countries, and for the constructive cooperation that has contributed to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka, he said.

Business

Sonali Rodrigo earns national recognition from Australia’s finance industry

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sonali Rodrigo receiving the prestigious AFG Women on the Move Scholarship at the awarding ceremony held in Melbourne.

Australian finance professional Sonali Rodrigo has been recognised with the prestigious AFG Women on the Move Scholarship, presented by Australian Finance Group (AFG), in recognition of her leadership, industry contribution and impact spanning more than two decades in Australia’s finance industry.

The AFG Women on the Move program is dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the finance and mortgage broking industry, recognising individuals who demonstrate leadership, professional contribution, growth, impact and a commitment to empowering other women. The scholarship is supported by leading industry partners, including HSBC and Thinktank.

Sonali’s career spans more than 20 years in Australia’s finance industry, encompassing senior leadership, financial advisory and governance roles. Alongside her professional responsibilities, she has actively mentored and supported women in their career development, contributed to financial literacy, and helped individuals make more informed financial decisions. Her recognition reflects both her professional achievements and the broader impact of her leadership, particularly in creating opportunities and empowering the next generation of women in finance.

Business

Beyond the crisis: Sectoral paths to durable growth

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)

Continued From last Friday

Regional infrastructure improvements beyond the Western Province are essential to close market-access gaps and improve efficiency. The Western Province alone generates 42% of Sri Lanka’s GDP, but the dynamics of such agglomeration may also be highly underestimated. Officially, barely a fifth is deemed ‘urban’ in the province, but IPS re-estimates from the 2024 census using population density and infrastructure access, place the true figure at nearly 61%. The absence of strong secondary cities and industrial clusters outside the province reduces the potential gains from this agglomeration, thereby weakening incentives for firms to locate elsewhere or decentralise operations.

Fiscal incentives can promote decentralised corporate operations by offering tax rebates, lower property taxes, and land access in secondary cities like Kalutara and Gampaha, leveraging the connectivity of Southern and Colombo-Katunayake Expressways. The Hambantota seaport and airport, along with Koggala and Mirijjawela Export Processing Zones, can help develop the Southern Province through geography-based tax concessions.

Immediate measures, such as pricing vehicle entry into Colombo city will support regional agglomeration while tackling the acute problem of city congestion. Adopting a low-cost, technology-anchored free-flow method, similar to the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) currently used in commercial parking facilities for vehicles entering the city, is one such means. Installing high-mounted overhead ANPR gantries at key arterial entry points can operationalise congestion pricing without disrupting traffic speed. Fee collection can use a system like E-Tags electronic toll collection on expressways, integrated with digital payment gateways like GovPay and LankaQR for dynamic, time-of-day variable pricing.

The renewable energy transition is vital to drive competitiveness, external shock resilience, and green growth. Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy (RE) has advanced from a mere aspiration to tangible progress. Yet, the evidence suggests the transition is advancing faster on the generation side than the system built to absorb it. Transmission capacity, market design, financing channels, and digital infrastructure have not kept pace with capacity additions, and this gap is what will determine the pace of the transition through 2030.

Capital spending on transmission must be ring-fenced by legally, operationally, and financially separating the electricity grid (the transmission network) from the rest of the energy sector or by the broader government budget as a protected public investment within the medium-term budget framework. Funding should shift from general budget support to dedicated multilateral facilities, reinforced by sovereign guarantees for eligible borrowing. To safeguard public funds, this must be paired with a clear tariff pass-through mechanism that effectively limits open-ended Treasury exposure.

To build market trust, domestic budget funding should be earmarked for market-design technical assistance, signalling strong policy ownership rather than relying on external donors. Transparency too should be strengthened by publishing a firm implementation timeline in the Budget statement and fully disclosing long-term fiscal commitments from Power Purchase Agreements, capacity arrangements, and ancillary services.

(Concluded)