Government Moves to Prevent Elephant Deaths on Rail Tracks

Following the tragic death of six elephants hit by a train near the 141st milepost between Galoya and Hingurakgoda, a high-level meeting was held at Parliament this morning. Senior officials from the Ministries of Transport, Environment, and Digital Affairs, along with the Department of Railways, Wildlife, and conservation groups, discussed urgent measures to prevent such incidents.

Key decisions include:

Enhancing visibility along railway tracks in elephant-prone areas.
Implementing new digital technologies.
Engaging local communities in mitigation efforts.
Installing improved lighting systems on trains, including forward-facing and side lights, with a shift from yellow to white lights.

As a follow-up, officials will visit the accident site on Saturday, February 22, to conduct an inspection and begin implementing these measures.

Attendees included Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister Parasara, Housing Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath, district councilors from Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and senior officers from the relevant institutions.