Message for the President: Save Sri Lanka's Elephants

There is a war on wildlife in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is an island which abounds in natural beauty and wildlife. The island nation came out of a 30 year civil war back in 2009 and since then it has once again been capturing the hearts and souls of many a traveller seeking that elusive mix of adventure, relaxation, culture, food, nature and wildlife. In 2016 Sri Lanka has once again been named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the must visit destinations of the world – ranking #2 on a list of 16 destinations. 

Unfortunately the freedom from civil war has not boded well for most of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. The Sri Lankan wildlife including the rare Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear and other animals are disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate. This can be mainly attributed to the short-sighted and irresponsible decisions made by an administration that appears to be unable to balance economic progress with environmental and wildlife sustainability. 

The allegations against the current administration are many:

1. Illegal capture and exploitation of Sri Lanka’s wild elephants


2. Illegal deforestation of Sri Lanka’s protected lands and national parks including Wilpattu N.P. - the last remaining wildlife habitats in Sri Lanka


3. Irresponsible development plans which totally disregard the government’s duties to protect Sri Lanka’s wildlife and environment and which exacerbate the ongoing ‘human elephant conflict’ in rural areas of the island


4. Exploitation and illegally trading Sri Lankan elephants at government controlled centres such as the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (which is more a breeding centre than an orphanage)


5. Exploitation and illegally trading other species including exotic species of animals and birds (lions, tigers, bird of prey, reptiles and more)  at the government controlled Dehiwala Zoo


6. Political interference and pressure leading to the resignation of respected individuals such as Dr. Sumith Palapitiya, former Director General of Wildlife and Conservation


7. Negligence in carrying out duties in bringing perpetrators to justice that commit crimes against wildlife:

• Killing elephants with the use of illegal electric fencing, snares, man-made traps and pits, hakkapatas (explosives stuffed into food that are attractive to wild animals which upon being taken into the mouth blow up and cause the animal’s mouth and entire jaw area to shatter leading to the animal suffering a painful death. Elephants, Wild boar are common victims), 


• Poaching protected wildlife – there have been an increasing number of wildlife poaching incidents inside National Parks including the endangered leopard, deer, wild boar and other animals for bush-meat.

Please refer to notes section for further public information on the above issues.

Tourists desire to support countries that are vested in protecting their wildlife and environment. Similarly we all have a duty to do our bit to stop ongoing wildlife exploitation in countries such as Sri Lanka. Tourists and travellers have much power to demand change in Sri Lanka in respect to its wildlife and environment, otherwise they will choose other destinations. Sri Lankan citizens must demand that politicians honor the cultural and natural heritage of the country, and stop their senseless and selfish actions.

Until sustainable land and wildlife management prevails in the island, tourists may decide to avoid Sri and to choose other South Asian destinations for your travels. Alternatives include Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In that region, even erecting a fence is illegal, as it hinders the movement of wildlife. In Kerala, temples are beginning to stop the use of elephants in parades. In contrast to Sri Lanka, politicians and land managers in India are working together to protect its animals and enhance forests. 

There is no time to waste!
This year elephant mortality has climbed to nearly 8% of the entire wild population, an increase from about 5% only three years ago. With only 4,000 elephants left, the species will no longer be viable in the wild within a few years.

Until the Sri Lankan government is able to demonstrate positive change in the areas of wildlife and environmental sustainability, the full potential of the tourism industry will be unattainable.

Notes:
Exploitation of Sri Lanka’s elephants and wildlife:
1. Sri Lanka’s illegal elephant trade - http://roar.lk/reports/closer-look-sri-lankas-illegal-elephant-trade/

2. Illegal captures: A serious threat to our elephants - http://www.sundaytimes.lk/141026/plus/illegal-captures-a-serious-threat-to-our-elephants-124122.html

3. Sri Lanka must work towards zero private ownership of elephants - http://www.dailymirror.lk/64049/sl-must-work-towards-zero-private-ownership-of-elephants

4. Born free let them live free and stay free - http://www.dailymirror.lk/110452/Born-free-let-them-live-free-and-stay-free

5. Dehiwala Zoo Exposed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nb-r1xPXEE

6. NO more cages! Dehiwala Zoo Exposed: Cover Story - http://www.lt.lk/cover-story/ 

7. Plight of Sri Lanka’s captive animals - http://roar.lk/environment-wildlife/plight-of-animals-in-captivity/

Exploitation of Sri Lanka’s environment and natural resources through unplanned and environmentally unsound developments:
1. Why the Port City is bad for Sri Lanka -  http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160612/sunday-times-2/why-the-port-city-is-bad-for-the-country-196859.html

2. Massive Environmental Destruction Due To Anda Dola Mini-Hydro Project - http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2016/01/24/massive-environmental-destruction-due-to-anda-dola-mini-hydro-project/

3. Mini-hydro projects destroying rain forests in Sri Lanka - http://www.lankapage.com/NewsFiles16/Jan20_1453299435.php

4. Koskulana Mini Hydropower Plant in Sinharaja Strict Buffer Zone - http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2016/01/02/koskulana-mini-hydropower-plant-in-sinharaja-strict-buffer-zone/

5. Sinharaja rain forest destroyed for illegal mini-hydro project - http://srilankamirror.com/news/item/7464-sinharaja-destroyed-for-illegal-mini-hydro-project

6. Illegal deforestation and unlawful settlements in Wilpattu Forest Complex, Sri Lanka - More than 2500 acres of forest has been cleared in Wilpattu forests complex of Sri Lanka since 2009 to 2015.
- http://www.globalforestwatch.org/stories/256

7. Deforestation Now Urgent Concern in Post-War Sri Lanka - http://asiafoundation.org/2016/03/16/deforestation-now-urgent-concern-in-post-war-sri-lanka/

8. 'Rishad Bathiudeen Is Involved In Wilpattu Deforestation': JVP - http://asianmirror.lk/news/item/8780-jvp-calls-for-cid-investigation-on-wilpattu

9. Chinese interference in environmental and wildlife hotspots in Sri Lanka http://www.dailymirror.lk/110983/China-pledges-to-develop-Northern-Province

10. Chinese interference in the wildlife paradise of Hambantota, Sri Lanka - http://www.ceylontoday.lk/print20160321CT20160630.php?id=2528

11. Moragahakanda dam project that is destroying elephant habitat and will put an end to the ‘great elephant gathering’ that happens at Minneriya each year -
https://www.facebook.com/savingganesh/posts/913570128765065:0

12. Proposed coal power plant in the pristine environment of Sampur, Sri Lanka - http://www.dailymirror.lk/107275/Sampur-Coal-Power-Plant-An-Environmental-Doom-and-Gloom-

13. Sampur Coal Power Plant: Pollution is just the tip of the iceberg - http://roar.lk/environment-wildlife/sampur-coal-power-plant-pollution-just-tip-iceberg/ 

14. Dams and unsustainable development: http://www.dailymirror.lk/111012/Cries-in-Kithulgala

15: 10,000 acres in Hambantota given as part of power plant deal with China: http://www.ceylontoday.lk/print20160321CT20160630.php?id=2528

Negligence and irresponsible decisions involving wildlife:
1. President of Sri Lanka confirms his decision to import elephant calves to serve in Sri lanka’s Buddhist processions - http://www.hirunews.lk/134487/elephants-from-myanmar-to-sl-prez 

Corruption and political interference impeding wildlife officials in carrying out their duties:
1. Why did Wildlife Department Chief resign? http://www.dailymirror.lk/110703/Why-did-Wild-Life-Department-chief-resign-

2. Yala National Park Warden not being allowed to carry out his duties due to illegal acts by minister - http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/item/10973-yala-warden-told-to-apologize-to-premadasa

3. Central Bank governor under a cloud: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/arjuna-mahendran-issue-ranils-credibility-at-stake/

Current petitions related to this topic:
1. Born free let them live free – free the elephants at Pinnawala, Sri Lanka - https://www.change.org/p/president-of-sri-lanka-he-maithripala-sirisena-free-the-wild-born-ritigala-elephant-calves-at-pinnavala-sri-lanka

2. President Sirisena of Sri Lanka, do not use illegally caught baby elephants for cruel religious festivals - http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-au/takeaction/727/928/285/

3. Shut down Dehiwala Zoo and end the suffering - https://www.change.org/p/president-of-sri-lanka-his-excellency-maithripala-sirisena-prime-minister-his-excellency-ranil-wickremesinghe-minister-of-tourism-hon-john-amaratunga-minister-of-sustainable-development-and-it-is-time-for-action-on-the-dehiwala-zoo/u/16436402 

Further reading:
Why dams are bad for the environment and wildlife:
-  https://www.internationalrivers.org/rivers-no-more-the-environmental-effects-of-large-dams
- http://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/4-species-impacted-by-dams

Social and environmental impacts of mini-hyrdro projects:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237741167_Social_and_Environmental_Impacts_of_a_Mini-hydro_Project_on_the_Ma_Oya_Basin_in_Sri_Lanka 

Campaigns to protect Sri Lanka’s rain forests:
- http://www.rainforestprotectors.org/rainforest/Campaigns.aspx