Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa visited the Siyambalangamuwa area today (16) to inquire into the condition of tusker Kawanthissa, who was found collapsed in a paddy field after suffering from health complications.
During the visit, Premadasa met with veterinary officers treating the tusker and inquired about its current condition and further treatment.
Speaking to the media, the Opposition Leader said Kawanthissa’s condition was one of the consequences of the ongoing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.
He stressed the need for a sustainable solution to the conflict, ensuring that elephants have sufficient forest habitats while allowing people to continue their agricultural activities.
Premadasa also called for a special conservation programme to protect Sri Lanka’s declining tusker population, noting that only a few elephants with large tusks remain in the country.
He proposed establishing a dedicated task force for tusker conservation and implementing a national programme to minimise human-elephant conflict.
The Opposition Leader also commended the efforts of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, veterinary surgeons and volunteers involved in treating Kawanthissa.
Meanwhile, Kawanthissa, considered one of Sri Lanka’s largest and tallest tuskers, was found collapsed in a paddy field in Siyambalangamuwa this morning after reportedly being ill for several days.
The tusker, which inhabits the Getadiulwewa area of Galgamuwa in Mahawa, had previously received treatment for an injury to its right front leg, believed to have been caused by a gunshot.
Treatment for the injury reportedly commenced on September 24, and although the leg injury had healed, the tusker is believed to be suffering from another illness.
Premadasa had previously raised concerns over Kawanthissa’s health in Parliament on several occasions, drawing the attention of the Government and the relevant Minister to the matter. (Newswire)
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