A total of 128 wild elephant deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka so far this year, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said in figures covering 1 January to 15 May 2026, Ada Derana reported.
Of the recorded incidents, 20 elephants were killed in shootings, 15 died from electrocution, 10 died after consuming “hakka patas” jaw explosives placed inside food bait, and five died after falling into agricultural wells. The remaining deaths were attributed to poisoning, train collisions, drowning and other accidents.
The highest number of wild elephant deaths was reported from the Eastern Region, with further fatalities recorded in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura wildlife zones — the country’s three core human-elephant conflict belts.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation said 35 human deaths caused by elephant attacks had also been reported during the same period.
The updated tally extends a steadily climbing toll. The Department had reported 108 elephant deaths through 30 April, meaning a further 20 wild elephants died in the first half of May alone. The Court of Appeal recently heard arguments over the adequacy of electric fences and other Department mechanisms for limiting the conflict.
The Cabinet earlier this week also approved a 70,000-hectare Hambantota elephant management reserve as a longer-term spatial solution.
Source: Ada Derana.
