Colombo, Oct. 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Wildlife Conservation will provide specialised training to military personnel on elephant behaviour and field handling under a joint initiative aimed at strengthening the protection of wild elephants and reducing human-elephant conflict.
The decision was reached at a meeting held at the Ministry of Environment on October 23, chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody.
Army Commander Lieutenant General K. V. Nilantha P. Premarathne, senior environmental officials, representatives of military intelligence and drone operations units, and members of voluntary environmental organisations attended the meeting.
Under the proposed arrangement, military personnel will receive training to improve their understanding of elephant behaviour and the appropriate procedures to follow when dealing with wild elephants in the field.
The military will also provide accommodation and field research facilities within military camps to support wildlife officers engaged in conservation activities.
The initiative is part of a broader joint programme involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Tri-Forces to protect wild elephants and tuskers, particularly those moving through high-risk areas.
A dedicated operations room is also planned at Sri Lanka Army Headquarters to coordinate field operations, monitor vulnerable elephants and facilitate emergency responses.
The programme will include joint operations against wildlife crimes, improved reporting mechanisms and measures to manage public gatherings around sick or injured elephants.
Authorities also agreed to conduct weekly data evaluations and monthly progress review meetings to assess operational activities and update protection plans.
The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between wildlife officials and the armed forces while improving the protection of elephants and the safety of communities affected by human-elephant conflict.