Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo yesterday (26). During the meeting, Premadasa handed over a letter prepared by the British High Commissioner to be presented to the Prince of Wales, requesting his support in addressing the escalating human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.
The letter appealed for the Prince of Wales’ invaluable support in protecting Sri Lanka’s wild elephants, which represent one of the largest elephant populations in Asia. Premadasa stressed the urgent need for a science-based national conservation strategy to curb the rising conflict, which is estimated to cause more than 400 elephant deaths and over 150 human fatalities annually.
The proposal also highlighted the establishment of a National Elephant Conservation and Coexistence Initiative (NECCI). This initiative aims to unite conservation experts, local communities, and international partners under a sustainable, long-term framework for elephant protection and human-wildlife coexistence.
Speaking at the event, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said:
“Sri Lanka’s elephants are not only our national heritage, they are a treasure trove of global biodiversity. With the leadership of the Prince of Wales and the conservation network, we can build a sustainable future for wildlife and our communities.”
British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick also expressed strong support for the initiative, stating:
“The UK greatly values Sri Lanka’s unique wildlife and biodiversity. Protecting wild elephants is essential not only for Sri Lanka but for the world. This initiative is both timely and vital, and I commend Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa for his commitment to finding lasting solutions for the conservation and coexistence of wild elephants.”
