Wild elephants destroy habitats, devastate crops in Welikanda

More than 1500 families from living in constant fear and faced with imminent danger to their life by wild elephants that stray into Ruhunuketha, Bowatta, Singhapura and Namalgama villages in the Welikanda area. The animals had caused much havoc, destroying habitats and cultivation.

They expressed fear that the jumbos had destroyed about 30 houses, Chena cultivation and home garden crops and civilian life in the area had collapsed and they had lost their livelihood.

Meanwhile the Welikanda Wildlife Conservation Officer A. Chaminda said that steps would be taken to pay compensation to the damaged houses and crop devastation soon. He said that the wildlife conservation office had issued crackers to the villagers to drive away the elephants and a special operation to drive the marauding jumbos to the forest reserve was underway.