In brief
Sri Lanka has initiated an island‑wide operation called Hasthi Sena to defend elephants and reduce human‑elephant clashes. The program, involving the Ministry of Environment, the armed forces and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, begins in the North‑Western Wildlife Region and will focus on 17 identified elephants, covering about 80 % of known elephant habitats. Authorities will enforce law against illegal firearms, explosive bait, electric fences and snares that threaten elephants.
On Monday, November 2 2026, Sri Lanka unveiled an island‑wide initiative named Hasthi Sena to protect elephants and curb human‑elephant conflict.
The operation will be run jointly by the Ministry of Environment, the armed forces and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, starting in the North‑Western Wildlife Region.
Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said the first phase would focus on 17 elephants identified as being at risk.
He added that the program was expected to cover about 80 percent of areas inhabited by elephants, while the remaining 20 percent would be addressed under a separate program.
The authorities will also conduct raids and take legal action against those using illegal firearms in wildlife areas.
They will target explosive bait known as “hakka patas,” unauthorized electric fences and snares that threaten elephants.
The Ministry’s announcement highlighted that elephant conservation is a national priority and that emergency measures such as these are essential to safeguard wildlife.
The armed forces’ involvement underscores the seriousness of the threat to elephants from weaponized attacks in recent years.
In addition to law enforcement, the program intends to assist communities to reduce conflict by removing hazardous fences that impede elephants’ natural movements.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation will monitor the 17 elephants for health and welfare indicators to ensure that their protection is effective.
Officials say the project will be scaled up over time, with periodic reviews of the coverage percentages and the scope of illegal activities being cracked down upon.
While the initial rollout focuses on high‑risk elephants, the separate programme for the other 20 percent of areas will explore additional conservation tools, such as signage and awareness campaigns in the local communities.
Patabendi emphasized that protecting elephants is indispensable for preserving biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of the island’s ecosystems.
The Hasthi Sena operation demonstrates a coordinated, multi‑agency approach to wildlife protection, a model that other nations can emulate for similar human‑wildlife conflict zones.
