🐘 Govt. to Appoint Multi-Stakeholder Committees to Tackle Human-Elephant Conflict

• Policy & Governance: The Government is appointing two expert committees to formulate a comprehensive national policy on the human-elephant conflict (HEC) and elephant conservation, addressing a lack of sustainable policy and proper legal implementation from a 2020 initiative. • Managed Elephant Reserve (MER): Following an Extraordinary Gazette on 30 January 2026, legal regulations for the Hambantota MER have been finalised. A new management committee will oversee the reserve, which connects Yala, Bundala, and Udawalawe National Parks. • Habitat Restoration: The Ministry of Environment will launch habitat enrichment in Sooriyawewa, Lunugamvehera, and Thanamalwila to sustain approximately 200 wild elephants. Key measures include rehabilitating six existing tanks for year-round water, developing grasslands for fodder, and removing invasive plant species. • Land & Energy Restrictions: Officials confirmed that solar energy projects are completely prohibited within the MER under the new regulations. • Socio-Cultural Context: The government is also exploring solutions for the shortage of domesticated elephants available for upcoming cultural tourism and religious processions (Perahera season). Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage will be transformed into a dedicated conservation research centre.