From Army Headquarters to the Elephant’s Last Refuge

Sri Lanka has mobilised the Tri-Services in a national initiative to protect its wild elephant population and reduce human-elephant conflict, under the direction and guidance of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.). Joint operations involving the Sri Lanka Army, wildlife authorities and an Air Force Veterinary Surgeon in the Meekiriyawa and Neeginiyawa areas have already resulted in the arrest of three suspects, including a woman, and the recovery of an illegal cartridge firearm, trap guns, ammunition, lead pellets, deer antlers, knives made from deer antlers and other items. The operations have also led to the detection of illegal firearms and explosive traps in the Kekirawa area. To strengthen coordination, a dedicated Operations Room has been established at Army Headquarters to monitor and coordinate Tri-Services activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and other relevant stakeholders. Meanwhile, the islandwide ‘Hasthi Sena’ operation, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment, the Tri-Services and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, commenced in the Galgamuwa area on 2 November. The Army deployed 60 personnel, organised into 10 operational teams under six groups, to support the initial phase, which focuses on 17 elephants identified as being at risk. Conducted under the direct supervision of the Commander of the Army, the programme follows a scientific and systematic approach and is expected to cover around 80 per cent of identified jungle areas where elephants roam. The broader initiative targets threats including illegal firearms, hakka patas (explosive bait), unauthorised electric fences and snares through coordinated surveillance, intelligence sharing, field operations and legal enforcement. The Ministry of Defence continues to facilitate the contribution of the Tri-Services to the Ministry of Environment, bringing military capabilities and government institutions together in a concerted national effort to strengthen wildlife protection and reduce human-elephant conflict.