World Elephant Day is being marked today (12), as concerns continue to grow over the rising threats faced by Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population.

The Ministry of Environment said elephants, which play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity, are facing increasing threats due to human activities.

The Ministry issuing a statement said years of unplanned development have obstructed elephant corridors and traditional migration routes, creating serious environmental consequences.

Speaking to Ada Derana, the Chairperson of the Centre for Environmental Justice, Hemantha Withanage said more than 400 elephants are killed annually in Sri Lanka, while nearly 200 people die each year as a result of the human-elephant conflict.

He said 180 elephant deaths and 56 human deaths have been recorded so far this year.

Of the elephant deaths, around 75 are believed to have been caused by human activity. This includes approximately 30 elephants killed by gunfire, 23 through electrocution and 19 using explosives known as ‘hakka patas’.

Withanage also raised concerns over estimates of Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population, noting that while previous estimates placed the figure at around 5,000, a recent wildlife survey indicated that the population had exceeded 7,000.

He said the human-elephant conflict continues to intensify as humans and elephants occupy more than 40% of the country’s land area.

Withanage called for the implementation of a systematic programme proposed by his organisation to address the escalating conflict.

Meanwhile, police have commenced investigations into the death of a 43-year-old man following a wild elephant attack in Ambanpola last evening (11).

Police said the victim had been attacked while attempting to chase away wild elephants that had entered his paddy field.

The victim was a resident of Ambanpola.