Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of iconic Sri Lankan tusker Kavantissa, involving both local and international experts.
Speaking during a visit to Siyambalangamuwa on Saturday (17) to pay his final respects to the tusker, Premadasa said a comprehensive examination was essential to establish the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death.
He stressed that local and foreign specialists should be involved in the post-mortem investigation to ensure transparency and establish the facts.
Premadasa, who described himself as an environmentalist, zoologist and wildlife photographer, recalled his long association with Kavantissa, saying he had personally named the elephant after encountering it near the Siyambalangamuwa reservoir several years ago.
He said Kavantissa was among Sri Lanka’s most magnificent wild tuskers, alongside other well-known elephants such as Mahasen, Agbo and Sando.
The Opposition Leader also called for the establishment of a special task force to protect Sri Lanka’s remaining tuskers, saying a similar proposal he had made previously had been ignored by the government.
Premadasa said Kavantissa’s death highlighted the urgent need to address the human-elephant conflict through a comprehensive national programme that protects both wildlife and farming communities.
He also proposed establishing a dedicated veterinary hospital for elephants and other wildlife, with international assistance, while strengthening the wildlife and veterinary sectors with additional resources and personnel.
Premadasa said he was prepared to lead an elephant conservation initiative involving Sri Lanka’s younger generation.
He stressed that those in positions of responsibility should never encourage people to shoot elephants, while acknowledging the need to protect farmers and communities affected by human-elephant conflict.
“The lives of elephants are just as important as human lives,” Premadasa said, calling for collective action to prevent further losses of Sri Lanka’s remaining wild tuskers.
Kavantissa died on Friday (16) following weeks of veterinary treatment for an apparent gunshot injury to his right front leg. Wildlife officials had reported that the wound was healing, but the elephant’s condition deteriorated after he stopped eating and suffered dehydration. (Newswire)
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