Top hotel industry body condemns elephant poaching
The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) has condemned elephant poaching and noted with “great concern the wanton killings of elephants which have been on the rise in recent times, with reported incidents being on the rise since of late”.
“In fact, we state with absolute dismay that one of the tuskers killed was blind. We condemn these barbarous acts in the strongest possible terms. We urge the authorities to bring meaningful penal pro- visions against these perpetrators immediately,” the association said in a media statement.
The action plan against poaching and pro-active support to anti-poaching initiatives, it said, is urgently needed at every level in order to protect these magnificent animals from extinction. THASL also welcomed the recent move by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to restrict the number of vehicles entering the Yala National Park.
“This action came as a result of representations made by the tourism industry, other activists and environmental support groups. Protection of the country’s natural habitats and our biodiversity is a prerequisite for sustainable development of tourism. The industry is committed to work closely with wildlife conservation authorities to help formulate a plan of action to address the issue of poaching that is threatening the elephant population in the country,” it said.