Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for an independent and transparent post-mortem examination into the death of tusker Kawanthissa, involving both local and foreign experts.
Mr Premadasa also said he was prepared, in his capacity as Opposition Leader, to lead a programme to protect elephants, bringing together the country’s younger generation.
He stressed that a proper and transparent investigation into Kawanthissa’s death, led by local and foreign experts, was essential to establish the facts.
He called for the examination to be conducted without delay.
The Opposition Leader made these remarks when he visited the site to pay his last respects to the tusker Kawanthissa, who died in Siyambalangamuwa.
Drawing on his experience as an environmentalist, zoologist and wildlife photographer, Mr Premadasa said Kawanthissa was not an ordinary wild elephant but one of the largest tuskers in the country’s forests, comparable to Mahasen, Agbo and Sando.
He also said that he had personally named the elephant Kawanthissa when he encountered it near Siyambalangamuwa Wewa several years ago.
Independent Investigation
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi has said that an independent investigation will be conducted into Kawanthissa’s death.
The Minister made this statement while speaking to the media following an event in the Kilinochchi area.
He said the investigation would examine whether any mistakes had been made in treating Kawanthissa and whether any deliberate act had taken place to harm the animal.
However, the Minister said the veterinary team had done its utmost to treat the elephant. He added that the Ministry of Environment was also saddened by the animal’s death.
He further said that steps would be taken to improve the procedures followed by the veterinary services and the Department of Wildlife Conservation in treating sick animals.
Elaborating on the matter, Environment Minister Dr Dhammika Patabendi said:
“We intend to appoint an independent investigation team to look into this matter and determine whether any mistakes were made or whether any deliberate act took place to harm the animal.
We believe that we intervened to the fullest extent possible, providing a level of intervention that has rarely been extended to any other elephant. We regret that we were unable to save the elephant’s life.
As the Ministry of Environment, we also express our condolences to everyone grieving over this loss.
We will take the necessary steps to further improve the procedures followed by our veterinary services and the Department of Wildlife Conservation in treating sick animals.
We are also prepared to investigate whether anything was done, without our knowledge, to harm this elephant and to take the necessary stringent action if warranted.”