Protection against elephants

Tennakoon KULASEKERA

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena on Saturday directed relevant officials to expedite the construction of the proposed electrified fence in Arunapura and Divuldamana in Aralaganwila to provide protection to the residents against rampaging wild elephants.

He gave their instructions at a discussion attended by peoples representatives and delegates of farmer associations at the Divuldamana viharaya in Aralaganwila. The minister also agreed to release a sum of Rs 16 million towards the renovation of the existing 30 km electrified fence and build the 35 km extension to the fence.

During the discussion Assistant Director Wildlife, Sumanaratne agreed to start construction work on the fence from 503 (Sudupalama) bridge upto the border of Maduru oya this week itself.