Sajith Premadasa Urges Government to Involve Wildlife Photographers and Environmentalists in Elephant Conservation Programme

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government to involve wildlife photographers, environmentalists and other elephant conservation enthusiasts in its efforts to protect elephants, stressing the importance of bringing together all relevant stakeholders to strengthen conservation initiatives.

He made these remarks while addressing the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, which is co-chaired by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Professor L. M. Abeywickrama.

Premadasa highlighted the importance of the Parliamentary Caucus in demonstrating Sri Lanka's commitment to addressing climate change, both nationally and internationally. He said its work should extend beyond providing relief after disasters and focus on preventive measures, strong policy and institutional frameworks, as well as evaluating the implementation of climate-related policies.

He also emphasised the need to involve local experts with knowledge of the environment, wildlife, forests, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and marine environments in developing appropriate conservation strategies.

Calling for collective action, Premadasa said people from all generations, including Generation Z, should be brought together to protect the country's ecosystems.

Referring to ongoing elephant conservation efforts involving security forces and the Ministry of Environment, he welcomed collaboration with the Wild Tusker group. However, he stressed that wildlife photographers and environmentalists who have a longstanding interest in elephant conservation should also be included.

He noted that several wildlife enthusiasts had identified individual elephants by name and actively contributed to efforts to protect them. Their knowledge and experience, he said, should be incorporated into a broader national elephant conservation programme.

Premadasa further questioned the selection of elephants included in the government's proposed initiative to protect 17 elephants, arguing that some elephants requiring protection had been left out. He called for all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure that every elephant in need of protection receives attention.

The Opposition Leader also drew attention to the shortage of veterinary surgeons in the wildlife sector. He said that although 33 veterinary surgeons were required, only around 17 were currently available, and urged the authorities to address the vacancies.

He also raised concerns about the history of elephant censuses in Sri Lanka, explaining that wildlife officers and conservation enthusiasts had previously expressed reservations about such exercises.

According to Premadasa, these concerns stemmed from fears that information obtained through elephant censuses could be misused by influential individuals to capture and domesticate elephants for personal prestige and display in private residences.

He alleged that a large number of elephant calves in Minneriya National Park had previously been stolen in this manner, and stressed that any future elephant census must therefore be conducted with great care and appropriate safeguards.

The meeting was attended by Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth, Director General of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Professor Turney Pradeep Kumar, science educator Thissa Jananayake, and Shiranta Gamage representing the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Professors Sampath and Ratnasiri Prematilaka, Professor Enoka Kudavidanage and Dr. S. Wijemohan were also among those present.

The discussions focused on Sri Lanka's climate change challenges, their environmental and social impacts, and the importance of integrating scientific knowledge and expert experience into policymaking to build a sustainable and climate-resilient future.