The government has greenlit a major infrastructure project to construct nearly 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of electric elephant fencing this year in a bid to curb the island’s escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne announced Tuesday that funds have been allocated for the initiative, which seeks to protect rural communities while securing critical migratory corridors for the country’s elephant population.

A primary focus of the new project will be the North-Western and North-Central regions, where interactions between farmers and wild elephants are most frequent.

The fencing will specifically target:

    • The Kahalla-Pallekele Sanctuary: A vital habitat for hundreds of elephants.

    • The Tabbowa Reserve: A major wildlife hub in the Puttalam district.

    • The Mee Oya Region: Two parallel fences are planned along this area to create a distinct boundary between the Tabbowa and Kahalla reserves.

“This initiative is aimed at protecting both wildlife and local communities,” Karunaratne said.

He said that the strategic placement of the fences would facilitate “safer movement for elephants in their natural habitats” rather than simply confining them, a common criticism of previous fencing attempts.

The announcement follows a year of record-breaking casualties. 
According to official data, nearly 400 elephants were killed in 2025. 
Causes of elephant deaths often include train accidents, gunshot wounds, “hakka-patas” (jaw-breaker explosives hidden in bait), and accidental electrocution from illegal farm wires. ( Source- The Leader)