When a connection feels like home-by Sashi Perera-eLanka

When a connection feels like home-by Sashi Perera

Extreme Heat in Sri Lanka
Articles Bhanuka Nuwan

Extreme Heat in Sri Lanka: Causes, Science, and How to Protect People

New wildlife underpass at Galgamuwa – solution for Human-Elephant Conflict By Arundathie Abeysinghe According to scholars, the new wildlife underpass at Galgamuwa in North Western Province which will be completed this month, will be a solution for the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). Galgamuwa is part of the Mahaweli Development Programme, the largest multipurpose national development programme in the country. Currently, construction of the elephant underpass is being completed beneath the railway line at Kasikote, between Galgamuwa and Ambanpola, an area well-known for frequent elephant crossings. A tunnel is constructed beneath the railway track to allow wild elephants to move safely from one side to the other, reducing the risk of train collisions as well as HEC. In 1977, when the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Scheme was launched, vast extents of forest lands were logged to facilitate new settlements. This led to elephants losing their habitats. According to senior engineers working on the project site, “construction work is expected to be completed in March 2026. The project would have been completed in early March, yet, the design phase of the project could not be finalised as there were challenges in controlling the movements of elephants towards the villages. During the rainy season, the slope that had already been cut was filled with water. Hence, those issues had to be addressed prior to its completion.” Galgamuwa residents are of the view that “this is a key project that should have been completed several decades ago as over 300 people have died in the area due to HEC, while over 50 people are handicapped as a large number of houses were damaged by elephants in search of food. For many years, we have spent sleepless nights due to fear of elephants roaming villages at night. One or two officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) cannot handle several elephants at once.” According to environmentalists “due to new settlements, there is lack of food in existing elephant migratory routes. To prevent elephant encounters, majority of villagers have set up electric fences which are useless as elephants cross the fences by felling large trees over them.” “Kahalla-Pallekele sanctuary was declared in 1989 with the objective of declaring the area up to Kala Wewa and Balalu Wewa as a national park. Yet, after this declaration, illegal land grabbing and human activities have disturbed migratory routes that elephants have been using for many years. Subsequent governments dug trenches, thinking that it would discourage elephants from coming towards villages. But that too was unsuccessful. Elephants now destroy electric fences because there’s lack of maintenance. It is difficult for just one or two wildlife officers to manage these elephant fences. When there’s lack of fodder, they go to people’s backyards in search of vegetables and fruits grown in home gardens.” In certain areas of Galagamuwa, community-based seasonal paddy field fences are constructed to avoid HEC. These are very successful as there is a direct incentive for the farmers to maintain and monitor the fence as their crops may be raided by elephants. In 2024, there were around 300 seasonal paddy field fences erected by Farmer Organisations supported by the Department of Agrarian Development. These seasonal paddy field fences contributed significantly to the number of elephant deaths decreasing from 488 in 2023 to 386 in 2024 as people kill elephants mainly when they raid their paddy or vegetable crops. Scholars are of the view that “although, the project would be completed this month, it is necessary to monitor, at least for a period of one year, if elephants may get used to using the underpass, even though they may not use it immediately.”
Articles Arundathie Abeysinghe

New wildlife underpass at Galgamuwa – solution for Human-Elephant Conflict – By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Australia to host U19 women’s tri-series in April
Articles

Australia to host U19 women’s tri-series in April

Space Exploration-eLanka
Articles

‘Space Exploration’ Looms Within Colombo !!!

eLanka Calendar - Sri Lanka and Australia Holidays

- Advertisement -
The Complete Guide to Sri Lankan Wedding Traditions Poruwa Ceremony Cultural Wedding Customs Sri Lanka Culture Book
British Council
Articles

Sparking Action to Ignite Change: British Council Youth Climate Ambassadors showcase 24 projects to alleviate climate change at ‘The Climate Spark’

Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam

QR කේත (QR Codes): තාක්ෂණය, භාවිතයන් සහ එහි සමාජීය බලපෑම. – By ආචාර්ය ගාමිණී කාරියවසම්.

Gandhi Kannadi Movie
Tamil Movies

Gandhi Kannadi Movie

Yuda Gini Meda Sinhala Film
Sinhala Movies

Yuda Gini Meda Sinhala Film

Current Extreme Heat Conditions-eLanka
Articles Kalani Prabodha

The Current Extreme Heat Conditions-by Kalani-eLanka

- Advertisement -
Best-Less-Travel
Most Read
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Photo Gallery

Latest Sri Lanka News, Events & Business Directory

Sinhala Tamil New Year,
Articles Malsha Madhuhansi

Sinhala and Tamil New Year – A Celebration of Unity, Culture, and Renewal – By Malsha – eLanka

SHAMITHA MULTIFACETED MAGNATE AUDIO ENGINEER FASHION DESIGNER-eLanka
Articles Sunil Thenabadu

SHAMITHA MULTIFACETED MAGNATE AUDIO ENGINEER FASHION DESIGNER,VOCALIST IN DIVERSE GENRES – by Sunil Thenabadu

sunday choice
Articles Charles Schokman

SUNDAY CHOICE – We will serve the Lord.”-Joshua 24:15. – By Charles Schokman

The Brad & Kiara Show-eLanka
Articles The Brad and Kiara Show - Sydney

The Brad & Kiara Show

Sri Lankan Aluwa Recipe – A Simple Traditional Sweet Delight - By Nadeeka - eLanka
Articles Nadeeka Kumari

Sri Lankan Aluwa Recipe – A Simple Traditional Sweet Delight – By Nadeeka – eLanka

Dilruk Jayasinghe is Sri Lanka's pride at the Australian Comedy Festival. - BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
Articles Trevine Rodrigo

Dilruk Jayasinha is Sri Lanka’s pride at the Australian Comedy Festival.- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.

Photo Gallery

Business
Sri Lanka Cricket From World Champions to a System in Crisis
Articles Dr Gamini Goonetilleke

Sri Lanka Cricket: From World Champions to a System in Crisis-by Gamini Goonetilleke

Miller Library to be bigger and better-eLanka
Articles

LCC MEDIA RELEASE: Miller Library to be bigger and better

What to Read
Articles

A World Order in Crisis: War, Power, and Resistance-by Dr. Asoka Bandarage

Lets Detox from Smart Phones- By Nisal Rukshan-eLanka
Articles Nisal Rukshan

Lets Detox from Smart Phones- By Nisal Rukshan

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, T20 World Cup 2028 host cities, Cricket Australia T20WC28, New Zealand Cricket World Cup 2028, ICC tournament 2028 venues, T20 World Cup Australia New Zealand, cricket world cup host selection process, ICC global cricket events, T20 cricket tournament 2028, international cricket council news, cricket host city bidding process, T20 World Cup venues announcement 2026, cricket Australia news, NZC cricket updates, global cricket tournaments 2028, cricket fans worldwide event, ICC T20WC28 teams list, cricket qualification pathway ICC, T20 World Cup schedule 2028, southern hemisphere cricket event
Articles

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 Host City and Venue Selection Process

Articles Dr Harold Gunatillake

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – Strategies for Prevention-by Harold Gunatillake

The Moments of Life - A reflection on what truly belongs to us - eLanka
Articles Charles Schokman

The Moments of Life – A reflection on what truly belongs to us – (Author unknown)-by Charles Schokman

- Advertisement -
Ad image
eLanka Advertisements
Scent n Soul Luxe
Classifieds Online shopping

Scent n Soul Luxe

7 Acres For Sale Horana Handapangoda
Classifieds Properties for Sale - Sri Lanka

7 Acres For Sale Horana Handapangoda

elders
Classifieds Education Consultants

Give Your Parents the Priceless Gift of Mindfulness

House for Rent - DEHIWALA - Sri Lanka
Classifieds Properties for Rent – Sri Lanka

House for Rent – DEHIWALA – Sri Lanka

House & Property for Sale Hindagala, Kandy Sri Lanka
Classifieds Properties for Sale - Sri Lanka

House & Property for Sale Hindagala, Kandy Sri Lanka

SA Travels and Tours – Van Hire and Tours in Sri Lanka
Classifieds Travel & Tourism

SA Travels and Tours – Van Hire and Tours in Sri Lanka

Houses to Rent in Australia

Share Accommodation Wanted – Sri Lankan Male Student (19) | January Move-In | Melbourne

Taste an authentic Sri Lankan Watalappam from Shamil’s!
Restaurants & Caterers

Taste an authentic Sri Lankan Watalappam from Shamil’s!

 Living Spring - Naturally Filtered by the Earth.
Classifieds Cleaning & Household Services

 Living Spring – Naturally Filtered by the Earth.

Best & Less Travel – Cheapest Airfares Guaranteed
Classifieds Travel & Tourism

Best & Less Travel – Cheapest Airfares Guaranteed

We Are eLanka — Your Voice, Your Community

From good news stories to obituaries, events, and more — if you have something to share, we are here to publish it for you.
Share Your Story
More News
Urgent Community Briefing – Sri Lanka’s Worst Floods in Decades1
Articles

Urgent Community Briefing – Sri Lanka’s Worst Floods in Decades _

Hans Van Culenburg An All-Time Boxing hero - By Lawrence Machado (1)
Articles Obituaries

 Hans Van Culenburg: An All-Time Boxing hero – By Lawrence Machado

Articles

 A Redemption Narrative ft. Max Jeganathan

THE WINNER
Articles DESMOND KELLY

”THE WINNER” – by Des Kelly

Show More
Sinhala Movies
සූර්යා සම්පූර්ණ චිත්‍රපටය | soorya full movie
Sinhala Movies

සූර්යා සම්පූර්ණ චිත්‍රපටය | soorya full movie

Sihina Nelum Mal Sinhala Full Movie
Sinhala Movies

Sihina Nelum Mal Sinhala Full Movie

Hello From The Other Side (2025) සිංහල චිත්‍රපටිය
Sinhala Movies

Hello From The Other Side (2025) සිංහල චිත්‍රපටිය

tattudeke iskole
Sinhala Movies

Thattu Deke Iskole Sinhala Full Movie( තට්ටු දෙකේ ඉස්කෝලේ )

Sinhala Movies

Chandi Rajina Full Movie ( චන්ඩි රැජින සම්පූර්ණ චිත්‍රපටය )

Tamil Movies
Kaithi (2019) - Tamil Full Movie
Tamil Movies

Kaithi (2019) – Tamil Full Movie

Size Zero Full Movie
Tamil Movies

Size Zero Full Movie

Sabhaapathy Full Movie
Tamil Movies

Sabhaapathy Full Movie

Tamil Movies

Love Marriage (2025)

THANAL Tamil Movie
Tamil Movies

THANAL Tamil Movie