A veterinary unit for rapid response when elephants fall ill

With the tragedy of the elephant 'Kavanthissa' who unfortunately died in the Galgamuwa, Siyambalangamuwa area, the attention of the authorities has been drawn to taking new steps regarding wild elephant welfare. Accordingly, it has now been proposed to establish a special veterinary unit to provide rapid on-site response when elephants fall ill, by going to their location in the field.

This critical proposal was discussed when the expert committee appointed by the President to investigate the death of elephant Kavanthissa and for a national elephant conservation program met for the first time yesterday (21st) morning. The discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Mr. Prabath Chandrakirthi, Chief of Staff to the President.

During the meeting, the committee paid close attention to the true cause of elephant Kavanthissa's death and the nature of the harm caused to the animal. In addition, the intervention of the Department of Wildlife Conservation in this tragic incident was extensively reviewed.

The President has assigned several key responsibilities to this expert committee. In addition to extensively investigating all matters related to the death of elephant Kavanthissa, a primary task assigned to them is to formulate a formal standard operating procedure for wild elephant welfare. Furthermore, this committee will also be responsible for submitting recommendations for a national program to protect elephants across the island.

This committee comprises several experts representing the wildlife and legal fields. Former Ministry Secretary Mr. A. H. Sarath Wijesinghe serves as the Chairman of the committee, while Presidential Additional Secretary Mr. W. W. Harrison acts as its coordinator. Additionally, Professor T. Saminda Fernando, Professor P. G. Anil Pushpakumara, Professor U. K. Kalinga Padmalal, Dr. Jagath Gunawardena, and Attorney-at-Law Charaka Jayaratne were present as committee members at this initial meeting held yesterday.