A government-appointed committee has commenced work on developing a new legal framework to regulate the management of domesticated elephants and their participation in cultural events, with a focus on protecting Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage while strengthening wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
The committee held its first meeting yesterday (16) at the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Division of the Ministry of Environment.
The meeting was convened under the guidance of Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody and chaired by Additional Secretary (Policy, Legal Reforms and Parliamentary Affairs) Buwaneka Herath.
During the inaugural session, members reviewed the existing laws governing domesticated elephants, assessed challenges in their implementation, and agreed on an initial roadmap for drafting updated legislation in line with the government’s policy objectives.
The committee comprises representatives from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the National Zoological Gardens Department, the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, as well as retired wildlife officials and experts in environmental law.
According to the Ministry of Environment, the proposed reforms will include amendments to current legislation and the introduction of new regulations to establish a comprehensive legal framework covering the ownership, management and use of domesticated elephants, particularly those participating in religious and cultural pageants.
The Ministry said the new legal framework is intended to safeguard Sri Lanka’s long-standing cultural traditions while enhancing wildlife conservation measures and ensuring higher standards of animal welfare in line with modern requirements and international best practices.
