MONLAR is campaigning for elephant protection and better livelihoods for farmers like Somawathie whose story featured in the CWS Christmas Appeal. by Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform

Searching for Sustainability in Sri Lanka

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In Sri Lanka, elephant and human deaths have been rising as the competition for natural resources intensifies. With drier conditions and increased water shortages associated with climate change, steps need to be taken now to ensure food for elephants and humans.

In last year’s Christmas Appeal, Christian World Service focused on the urgent need for food. While many of its partners are teaching ago-ecological skills to help families grow the food they cannot afford, only in Sri Lanka do they have to contend with wild elephants. Several people who clearly loved elephants told CWS they had not thought about what life might be like for the people who lived alongside these large animals.

According to the most recent report, 449 elephants were killed in 2023 up from 433 the year before. More than 169 people lost their lives last year an increase of 24 on the previous year – mostly from rural communities.

Late last year Sajeewa Chamikara from CWS partner the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) published a new book on the situation. He said changes in government policy since 2021 had allowed more forests to be cleared, increasing human elephant conflict.

Electric fences that can kill the elephants have been erected throughout the dry zone, fragmenting forests and making it difficult for them to find the food and water they need. Invasive species are encroaching on the reserves which are also affected by 54 neighbouring rubbish dumps. Land has been cleared for crops like palm oil and tea or human settlement. The tourism industry is forcing elephants to live closer together and some, especially males, do not like the attention and escape.

Elephant drives and electric fences are the main strategies for dealing with the elephants but there is some evidence that forcing elephants out of an area increases aggression. Some people resort to harmful “jaw bombs” (explosive-laden bait) or guns which can kill or seriously injure the animals.

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