Wildlife Conservation Dept. short of staff
Deputy Minister of Wildlife and Sustainable Development, Sumedha G.jayasena said the Wildlife Conservation Department had only 15 veterinary surgeons to provide protection to a population of 5000 wild elephants and other animals and that it was an arduous task to perform.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Veterinary Medical Officers’association the deputy minister said that despite the shortage of hands that they rendered an efficient service when compared to similar services in other countries.
The Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon’s Association comprises 15 veterinary medical officers of the Wildlife Conservation Department and ten officers of the National Zoological Gardens Department.
The union submitted a memorandum requesting the minister to change the designation of the wildlife veterinary surgeons, to pay them a risk allowance, formulate a promotion scheme, to provide facilities for training abroad, improve infra structure facilities in veterinary hospitals, and establish more health centres.
Wildlife Conservator General W.s.k.pathiratne, Director General of the Department of National Zoological Gardens , Dhammika Malsinghe, President of the Association Dr.b.a.d.s.jayawardene, Secretary D.b.n.pushpakumara and members attended the meeting.