A powerful alliance of Buddhist clergy, conservation scientists, animal welfare advocates, and corporate representatives has called on the government to abandon ad hoc animal control strategies and adopt science-backed, humane, and sustainable policies to protect Sri Lanka’s animals and ecosystems.

Speaking at a landmark press conference in Colombo, Venerable Pagoda Janithawansha Thera delivered a stirring appeal on behalf of Sri Lanka’s imperiled elephant population.

“Elephants are not just cultural icons — they are central to the biodiversity of our land,” he said. “Our failure to protect them is a moral failure, and one we must urgently correct with evidence-based strategies.”

He cited leading elephant expert Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, who has shown that while only 30% of the elephants’ natural habitat falls within designated protected areas, 70% of them now roam shared landscapes with humans — a recipe for continued conflict if mismanaged.

The Thera pointed out that attempts to forcibly confine elephants to protected zones have not worked. “We must stop short-sighted decisions and look at successful, long-term strategies — such as community-built and maintained electric fencing, which has proven to reduce conflict.”

The toll on elephants is harrowing. Between 2015 and 2024, nearly 600 elephants were killed — mostly in conflict with humans. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Just seven months into 2025, 224 elephant deaths have already been reported.

“These aren’t just statistics,” said conservationist Rukshan Jayawardene. “Each number represents a failure of policy and compassion.”

Another urgent issue raised was Sri Lanka’s unregulated street dog population. For more than a century, the 1893 Rabies Ordinance enabled a brutal catch-and-kill approach, which experts say is not only outdated but ineffective.

Animal rights lawyer Thanuja Navaratne said the shift in 2006 to a sterilization and vaccination strategy, under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was a step forward — but it was never properly funded or implemented.

“It’s not just about logistics,” said Dr. Krishanthi Rondon Fuentes of the Animal Wellness Trust. “There’s no central agency with clear responsibility, no regulation of backyard breeders, and too many owned dogs are allowed to roam.”

According to past surveys, nearly half of street dogs in Colombo are actually owned, but are allowed to wander — fuelling the cycle of reproduction and abandonment.

Activist Sharmini Ratnayake of the Animal Welfare Trust highlighted that countries like Bhutan, Singapore, and India have all demonstrated the effectiveness of science-based sterilisation campaigns.

“Bhutan, in keeping with its Buddhist ethos, achieved 100% sterilisation and vaccination of its dog population in just one year,” she noted. “And in cities like Vadodara and Lucknow in India, sterilisation is nearing 90%, effectively ending the cycle of overpopulation.”

A Sri Lankan veterinary expert emphasised that sterilising 400,000 female dogs over two years, followed by sustained effort, could eliminate the problem within one parliamentary term — as most street dogs live only 4–6 years.

Addressing the recent controversy over monkey population control in rural areas, Dr. Ranil Senanayake, Chairman of Earthrestoration P/L, called for an end to violent methods and proposed a non-lethal, scientifically grounded approach.

“We must stop handing guns to villagers. There are better ways,” he said. “Feeding stations with food laced with progesterone can safely and effectively reduce monkey reproduction — a method tested decades ago.”

He urged policymakers to align wildlife management with Sri Lanka’s Buddhist values of ahimsa (non-violence).

Participants from over a dozen animal welfare groups — including Animal SOS, Justice for Animals, Tails of Freedom, and the Animal Welfare and Protection Association — issued a unified message:

“We’re not lacking in knowledge or examples,” said Iromi Salgado of the AWPA. “What we’re lacking is political will, coordination, and long-term commitment.”

Environmental educator Jayantha Wijesinghe stressed that without immediate reform, Sri Lanka risks not only the loss of its biodiversity but also its moral standing in the region.

“We have the wisdom of our faith, the evidence from science, and examples from across the world,” he said. “Let’s choose compassion and intelligence over cruelty and neglect.”

The joint press conference concluded with a clear call: implement proven, humane solutions now — before more animals and humans suffer needlessly.

By Ifham Nizam