Three people were killed in separate wild elephant attacks on April 5 in two locations across Sri Lanka, highlighting the persistent and deadly nature of the country’s human-elephant conflict.
Eppawala Attack
Two men aged 36 and 48 were killed by a wild elephant in the Amunukole area of the Eppawala Police Division. One victim was found deceased near the Amunukole tank bund, while the other was discovered in an adjacent paddy field. Both are believed to have been attacked by the same elephant.
Mahiyanganaya Attack
A 79-year-old man was attacked by a wild elephant in front of his residence in the Wewagedara area of the Mahiyanganaya Police Division. He was rushed to Mahiyanganaya Hospital with serious injuries but succumbed to his wounds while receiving treatment.
Ongoing Crisis
Police from both divisions have initiated investigations. Human-elephant conflict remains one of Sri Lanka’s most persistent wildlife challenges, particularly in areas bordering wildlife reserves and national parks. Both Eppawala and Mahiyanganaya are located in the dry zone where elephant habitats overlap with farming communities.
Sri Lanka is home to an estimated 6,000 wild elephants, and conflict with humans kills roughly 100 people and 400 elephants annually, making it one of the highest rates of human-elephant conflict in Asia.
