53 Elephants killed, 17 injured in train collisions since 2020 - COPA

The alarming statistics were disclosed during a recent COPA meeting held in Parliament chaired by Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath. The meeting was convened to examine the Auditor General’s report for 2023 and assess the current performance of the Sri Lanka Railways Department.

Despite a survey conducted in October 2018 aimed at minimizing such incidents—by identifying high-risk zones where elephants roam and where collisions frequently occur—COPA members expressed concern that these efforts have not led to a reduction in accidents.

Officials noted that the situation has worsened since 2018, with an estimated 200 elephants now regularly observed near railway tracks. Although several short-term measures have been implemented, the committee stressed the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions.

Railway and wildlife officials confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the Department of Wildlife Conservation to develop more effective mitigation strategies.

The meeting was attended by several Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament, including Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, Sugath Thilakaratne, Chandana Suriyarachchi, Oshani Umanga, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, T.K. Jayasundara, and Ruwanthilaka Jayakody. Legal experts and other public officials, including Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe and Ajantha Gammaddege, also participated in the session.