Troops Pitch In to Reclaim Nature’s Balance at Kala Wewa

In a remarkable show of unity and environmental responsibility, Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces pitched in to support a large-scale ecological restoration campaign titled “Let’s Give Kala Wewa Back to Elephants.” Held from September 5th to 7th within the Kala Wewa National Park, the initiative aimed to revive vital elephant feeding grounds by removing invasive plants from the floodplains.

Organized under the guidance of Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), the campaign drew strength from the coordinated effort of the military, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, local communities, and environmental organizations.

With their trademark discipline and deep respect for the land, Tri-Forces personnel cleared nearly 25 acres of invasive vegetation—breathing life back into an ecosystem long suffocated by foreign plant species. The work focused on restoring natural balance in areas most frequented by elephants, creating safe and sustainable grazing zones.

This was more than a clean-up—it was an act of restoration, a gesture of gratitude to the island’s natural heritage, and a reminder that the duty to serve extends beyond human borders.

The Ministry of Defence affirmed that the Tri-Forces will continue to support environmental efforts, not only as protectors of peace but as guardians of Sri Lanka’s natural future.