Decrease in elephant attacks:
Minister lauds Wildlife Dept
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
The dedication of Wildlife Department officials had seen a reduction
in deaths among the local population due to attacks by wild elephants,
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.
The Wildlife Conservation Department new building was opened
at Battaramulla by Economic Development Minister Basil
Rajapaksa yesterday. Construction, Engineering Services,
Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa,
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka,
Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Economic
Development Deputy Ministers Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and
Ranjith Siyambalapitiya also participated. Picture by
Chaminda Hittetiya |
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Wildlife Conservation
Department new head office building yesterday Minister Rajapaksa said it
is important to save lives of the people in villages as they are the
ones who save those forests.
Power and Engery Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Wildlife
Conservation Department is the leading government department which is
responsible for protecting 13 percent of the forest land with more than
15,000 animal species including 8,000 elephants.
"Sri Lanka is in the 23rd place in the world's bio-diversity hot
spots. It is our duty to protect them for the future generation," he
said. Minister Ranawaka said the world's highest density of elephants is
found in Sri Lanka.
"However, only 22 percent of land in this country remains for them.
Therefore, the Wildlife Conservation Department has the
responsibility to protect them and protect people too," he said.
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