A new phase of the national environmental conservation programme, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment and the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, was launched yesterday (10) in the Puttalam District, centring on the Karuwalagaswewa Tabbowa Tank.
A new phase of the national environmental conservation programme, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment and the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, was launched yesterday (10) in the Puttalam District, centring on the Karuwalagaswewa Tabbowa Tank.
This rapid initiative aims to provide a sustainable solution to the growing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka under the theme “Beyond Electric Fences – Towards a Sustainable Solution.”
The programme focuses on creating elephant-friendly ecosystems and enriching elephant habitats. As an initial step, invasive plant species such as Japan Jabara and Kalapu Andara, which had overrun the Tabbowa Tank area, were removed. Nearly one thousand participants—including members of the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, local youth, environmental volunteers, and schoolchildren—took part in this large-scale community service effort.
In addition, the initiative seeks to restore degraded tank ecosystems within wildlife sanctuaries and establish Divisional Secretariat-level mechanisms through Village Committees to ensure sustainable management.
Parallel to this event, the Department of Irrigation carried out boundary marking around the Tabbowa Tank, while the Department of Forest Conservation removed invasive species and implemented a community-based development programme within the Galwila Environmental Park. Plans are also underway to renovate the Elaris and Anatha tanks in Vanathavilluwa and to clear vegetation along the Karuwalagaswewa and Vanathavilluwa electric fence routes.
The inauguration ceremony was held with the participation of Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abeyratne, and Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, along with several Members of Parliament representing the Puttalam District.
Also present were senior officials including Kapila Senarath (Director – Social), Anjula Premarathna (Director – Environment), and Isuru Anuradha (Director – Information Technology) of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, together with the District Secretary of Puttalam, Additional District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, and other government representatives.
