News

Move to shift two rare elephants from Sinharaja forest suspended

17 Jun, 2018

A decision taken to shift two rare elephants from the?Sinharaja Forest Reserve has been suspended.

President Maithripala Sirisena had earlier instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation to keep the two rare elephants in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a World Heritage site, until a decision is taken after formulating a proper procedure.

The President further instructed the Secretary for the Ministry of Environment Anura Dissanayake and the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation Anura Saturusinghe to take further steps after consulting a group of experts in the regard and following a scientific study by those experts if there is any need to relocate the two elephants.

President Maithripala Sirisena further instructed the officials to take steps to conserve the animals within the lands that belong to them in order to protect the wild elephants.

The President also showed the importance of the responsibility behind protecting the Sinharaja forest which has a bio diversity valued by the entire world.

In order to prevent people residing in the area from being harmed, President Sirisena had advised the authorities to complete the construction of a protective elephant fence as early as possible. (Colombo Gazette)

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